The first part presents a database overview and describes the concept of datatype and the organisation of the bibliography (Chapter 2), the database structure in directories and the file organisation (Chapter 3), the different query modes that have been considered for BDA (Chapter 4) and the graphics facilities (Chapter 5).
Chapter 6 discusses the detail of the database installation from tape and the various definition files.
The second part is divided in four chapters which explain how to use the basic commands and the various query modes: command, menu, prompt and graphical user interface.
The third part presents applications provided by the database and discusses the underlying philosophy. It also explains how to use them. The use of the graphic program which generates the photometric diagrams is explained here.
The Appendix presents a summary of the command and program names, option meaning, data types, file names, field names and aliases. It also describes the catalogue of red giants in open clusters.