Foundation for Future Database Systems: The Third Manifesto offers a comprehensive, insightful proposal for the future of object/relational database management systems. Date and Darwen present a precise, formal definition of an abstract model of data that can be used as a blueprint for designing both databases and database languages -- and as a rock-solid foundation for integrating relational and object technologies. This new Second Edition has been revised extensively, with major extensions to its inheritance model; new language proposals, and improved discussions of many key concepts. The book goes beyond formal specifications, with a detailed discussion of the rationale for each proposal. It will be essential reading for everyone with a serious interest in database technology.