5014.12 - Databases and SQL

5014.12

Databases and SQL

7.5

Introductions into Computer Science, Java and C++.

To give the student a first introduction to databases, database management systems, SQL and database design.

The course starts with an introduction to database management systems. It continues with a discussion of entity relationship modeling. Then the relational model as well as mapping rule for turning an entity relationship diagram into a relational schema is discussed. Finally 3NF and BCNF as well as respective design algorithm are discussed. Parameters of storage media and transaction processing are the final course issues.

The course starts in week 44 of 2012. The course days are Tuesday and Friday. The teaching covers 8 weeks. There are two weeks of Christmas break. The classes last from 9 am to 4 pm. The details will be agreed on at the first meeting. The classes will take place in the Ovastova. Attending the classes is very strongly encouraged. The assignments will be issued at the begin of the course. The solutions will be discussed in class. Late hand ins will only be accepted in case of sickness as certified by a medical doctor.

Learning Outcomes The successful student will be able to: • Create an external database model with the entity relationship model. • Create a conceptual database model suited for an external database model. • Install the Postgres database management system and create a database. • Define and execute low to medium level complexity SQL queries. • Define and explain the relational database model including its most important data constraints. • Explain the potential causes and consequences of redundancy implied anomalies to maintaining data. • Define 3NF, BCNF and execute the synthesis algorithm for achieving 3NF. • Explain the ANSI/SPARC architecture and characteristics of database management systems. • Explain why transactions are used and what ACID-transaction are. • Explain what conflict-serializability and deadlock means and why these concepts are important for transaction processing.

There will be eight assignments six of which have to be handed in. Each assignment contributes to 5% of the final grade. There will be a final 2 hour exam that contributes to 70% of the final grade. The exam is closed book. The existing grade scale will be used. Failing students may be reexamined by sitting a four hour exam that counts for 100 % of their final grade.

External

13-

Ramakrishnan, Gehrke. Database management systems, 3rd. ed. McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Roland Kaschek