COMP 5138 Relational Database Management Systems Sem2, 2007 Lecture 0 Course Overview

22 L1 Overview & Introduction General Organization Lecture:Monday, 18:00—20:00 p.m. Carslaw Lecture Theatre 173 Labs:Mon, 20:00—21:00 p.m (start in wk 2) Madsen Building: LG31, LG32, LG33 Coordinator:A/Prof. Alan Fekete Room 447, tel Lectures given by A/Prof Alan Fekete and Dr Simon Poon Course Web page:

33 L1 Overview & Introduction Course Perspective Understanding the foundations of database management theoretical knowledge of database systems in general Close understanding of the relational data model and systems in particular awareness of the main ideas and concerns of a range of IT professionals who work with databases Ability to effective use database management systems and corresponding tools Create robust conceptual data models Create, query and update using SQL and APIs Develop efficient database applications Note: for a professional career, you will need to learn a lot of product-specific details which we do not cover; instead we focus on transferable ideas and skills

44 L1 Overview & Introduction Outline of the Lectures Introduction Relational Design ER Model and Conceptual Design The Relational Data Model Schema Refinement and Normalization Queries and Applications Introduction to SQL Advanced SQL; Security Database Application Development Application System Architectures

55 L1 Overview & Introduction Lectures (cont’d) Database Management Systems Internals Storage and Indexing Transaction Management Query Processing, Optimization, and Tuning

66 L1 Overview & Introduction Course Material Copies of the slides, tutorials, assignments will be available for download on the lecture’s web site… … but remember: slides are only an aide memoire So attend the lectures: Slides may change Lectures give meaning to the bullet points Lectures can clarify assignments We will roughly follow the recommended textbook only a selected subset of the chapters the order also varies slightly enriched with material from further sources You should read the referenced material every week Either purchase the book, or go to the library (Special Reserve)

77 L1 Overview & Introduction Text Books Main text book used in this course: R. Ramakrishnan and I. Gehrke: Database Management Systems, 3 rd edition, McGraw-Hill, Suggested additional references: M. Kifer, A. Bernstein, and P.M. Lewis, Database Systems: An Application-Oriented Approach, 2nd Edition, Addison Wesley, R. Elmasri and S.B. Navathe: Fundamentals of Database Systems, 2nd Edition, Benjamin/Cummings, A. Silberschatz, H.F. Korth, and S. Sudarshan: Database System Concepts, 5 th edition, McGraw-Hill, J. Melton and A. Simon: Understanding the New SQL - A Complete Guide, Morgan Kaufmann, Of course, there are many more text books on databases…

88 L1 Overview & Introduction Software One objective of the course is to give some hands-on experience with existing database software But remember: Learn the principles, not the software! We will be using various software in the labs: Commercial Relational DBMS (eg Oracle 10g) Freeware SQL browser Microsoft Visio Java: JDBC It is your responsibility to learn how to use it Documentation available on-line

99 L1 Overview & Introduction Assessment Assessment tasks Assignment 1 (due Tutorial of week 5)10% Assignment 2 (due Tutorial of week 7)10% Assignment 3 (due Tutorial of week 9)10% Assignment 4 (due Tutorial of week 12)10% Examination (2 hours)60% Assignments will be due at your tutorial for that week and of course it has to be YOUR work! (see your Postgraduate Enrolment Guide for the School’s policy relating to academic honesty) Departmental policy is that you must score at least 40% in combined assignments, and at least 40% in written exam, as well as an overall mark of at least 50%.

1010 L1 Overview & Introduction Applying for Special Consideration In case of Illness or Misadventure you can apply for special consideration the application has to be lodged with the faculty as soon as possible The first thing you do should be Let your lecturer know (best by and while still sick) Submit your assignment Send a friend and get him/her to submit your assignment at front- desk Go to a Professional Practitioner and get a certificate Then lodge the application for special consideration No special consideration for missing out a few days or being on holiday etc. time management is your responsibility!