KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY IN DATABASES (KDD) revolves around the investigation and creation of knowledge, processes, algorithms, and the mechanisms for retrieving potential knowledge from data collections. Related issues include data collection, database design, the description of entries in the database using the most appropriate representation, and data quality. This article is an introductory overview of knowledge discovery in databases. The rationale and environment of its development and applications are discussed. Issues related to database design and collection are reviewed