Databases 2

Level 3, 10 credit module Prerequisite: 06-19321 Software System

Components 2 (or some other introductory course in databases)

2 lectures & 1 exercise class / week Weekly exercise sheets [unassessed; but IF

YOU DO THEM you receive feedback on these]

Focus of the module:

– We use the public-domain PostgreSQL system

– Not a training programme in a particular database management system

– Focus on giving an intro to fundamental aspects of database theory & practice

What is covered

1. Querying a relational database with SQL

2. Modelling a real-world situation with (extended) entity-relationship diagrams

* ER modelling

* Extended ER diagrams

* Translating EER diagrams to tables (SQL CREATE statements)

What is covered (cont'd)

3. Logical analysis of database designs

* Relational algebra

* Functional dependencies

* Normalisation

What is covered (cont'd)

4. Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) implementation technology

* File organisation and retrieval

* Indexes

* Algorithms for relational operators

* Query Execution

* Query Optimisation

* Transactions

Possibly more...

* XML

* Query optimisation

* Multimedia databases

Assessment

20% continuous assessment 3 in-class assessed tests, 50 mins each Announced ~1week in advance Marks made available via the web

80% written exam in May Undergrads (BA, Bsc, BEng or MEng) can NOT

resit the exam Msc have one resit opportunity

What is expected of you

Regular attendance at lectures Coming prepared (with notes) for the exercise

class so you can complete a large fraction of exercise in the class

Collecting feedback promptly & reviewing any mistakes you might have made

Approaching me in office hours to clear up any questions promptly

Have fun in learning!