CS6003 Database Systems (10 credits)

Lecturers: Adrian ORiordan (term 1), Dr. Kieran Herley (term 2)

Term 1 Contact: email is a.oriordan@cs.ucc.ie, office is 312, Kane
Building

Lectures (term1): Tuesday @11:00 a.m. AL5 and Friday @noon
Room 01, 3 Carrigside

(term 2): Tuesday @10:00 a.m., Room G02, 4 Bloomfield
Terrace and Thursday @9:00 a.m., West Wing W7.


Practicals: Organised later in year
Objectives and Prerequisites
Objectives: To become familiar with the technologies used in the
construction and use of database systems. The focus will the
dominant relational data model. The technologies covered will
include querying (SQL), data design, and data administration.

Brief Synopsis: This course examines database development from
the conceptual level. Querying and administration of a
functioning database is explored.

The database systems used in the practical aspect of the course
are Mirsosoft Office Access and mysql.

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computers. No knowledge of
programming or databases is assumed.
Course Details
Part of Higher Diploma in Applied Science (Biotechnology)

Teaching methods: notes will on slides or handouts. Reading
assignments will be also given during the year.

Assignments and exercises will be placed on the course
webpage:
http://www.cs.ucc.ie/~adrian/cs6003.html

No textbook covers all the material exactly. See the list of
relevant books later.
Course Overview
Part 1: SQL and the Relational Model

Basic concepts of database management systems
Introduction to the relational model
Introduction to Microsoft Office Access
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Data design and conceptual modelling
Basics of database administration
Course Overview (cont.)
Part 2: Technologies (Dr. K. Herley)

Web databases
Mysql database system
Selected topics in data analysis
Database Applications
Microsoft Office Access
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/access/

desktop database management system that is widely used

interworks with more powerful Microsoft SQL Server

combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a
graphical user interface
It can use data stored in Access/Jet, SQL Server, or Oracle.
suitable for small to medium sized applications.

relative compatibility with SQL
Mysql
www.mysql.com

Mysql AB makes MySQL available as open source software
/free software under the GNU General Public License
(GPL) - but they also sell it under traditional commercial
licensing arrangements for cases where the intended use
is incompatible with use of the GPL.

Mysql is popular for web applications

Supports SQL

Works well with PHP, used for developing server-side
applications and dynamic web content
Books to Read/Browse
Database solutions: a step-by-step guide to building databases,
Thomas M. Connolly, Carolyn E. Begg, Pearson Addison Wesley,
2004.
Database design, application development, and administration,
Michael V. Mannino, McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Database systems: a practical approach to design, implementation,
and management, Thomas M. Connolly, Carolyn E. Begg,
Addison-Wesley, 2005.

See http://www.cs.ucc.ie/~adrian/cs6003_texts.html

Websites - Portals
http://databases.about.com Start page
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Databases
Start page
http://www.google.com/Top/Computers/Software/Databases Start
page
http://www.hiden.org/myaccess Access
http://www.mysql.com mysql
http://www.the-data-mine.com Data Mining
http://databases.about.com/od/datamining Data Mining
http://www.sigmod.org ACM Special Interest Group
http://www.jcc.com/SQLPages/jccs_sql.htm SQL Standards
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_management_system Overview

What is a database and a DBMS?
Database
Shared collection of logically related data (and a description of this
data), designed to meet the information needs of an organization.

System catalog (metadata) provides description of data to enable
programdata independence.

Logically related data comprises entities, attributes, and relationships
of an organizations information.

Database Management System (DBMS)
A software system that enables users to define, create, maintain, and
control access to the database.
Example DBMS
Components of DBMS
Data definition language (DDL) - Permits specification of
data types, structures and any data constraints.

Data manipulation language (DML) - General enquiry
facility (query language) of the data.

Controlled access to database may include:
a security system
an integrity system
a concurrency control system
a recovery control system