Databases
LIX022B05, 2012/13, semester Ia

Databases
Introduction Nestor

Introduction

This is a ``first course in database management systems''. In this course, students are introduced to the theory and practice of working with relational databases. Students will learn common practices and pitfalls of database design, and learn to use SQL for both data manipulation and queries.

The course introduces logical database design (using ER diagrams), normalization, the implementation of the database in a relational database system (using MySQL). The course will follow a practical perspective. However, the students will also be familiarized with the theoretical background of database management systems.

More information can be found in course syllabus (draft).

Requirements

No formal requirements, but a good level of `computer literacy' is assumed.

Course Plan

Date Subject Reading (from the textbook) Exercises
Sep 3 Introduction [slides] [handout] Chapter 1, 2
Sep 10 Logical DB Design (E-R diagrams) [slides] [handout] Chapter 7 hw, lab
Sep 17 Relational DB Design, normalization [slides] [handout] Chapter 8 hw
Sep 24 SQL (1): simple queries and data manipulation [slides] [handout] Chapter 3 hw
Oct 1 SQL (2): complex queries [slides] [handout] Chapter 4 hw
Oct 8 SQL (3): views, indexes, access control. [slides] [handout] sections from Chapter 11, 12, 13 hw
Oct 15 SQL and programming & Summary sections from Chapter 5, 14 hw

Textbook

Database System Concepts by A. Silberschatz, H. F. Korth and S. Sudarshan. McGraw-Hill (2010), ISBN 978-007-128959-7 (6th international ed.)

Assessment

Homeworks: 30%, Final exam: 70%. To pass the course, the weighted average of the homeworks and the exam should be 5.5 or above.

The average of the best five homework results will constitute the 30% of the final grade. Homeworks will include both paper-and-pencil type of questions and practical exercises with MySQL and related tools. The homeworks are to be submitted in English.

Homeworks

Homeworks will be posted weekly in this course web page.

Practical Information

Courses: Monday 13:00-15:00, A-weg 30, room 103
Labs: Wednesday 15:00-17:00, 1312.0107MB
Office hours: Wednesday 13:00-15:00 (or by appointment)
Instructor: Çağrı Çöltekin