Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 10 minute worksheets - quiz worksheets, administered online | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Assesssed practicals Practical work carried out in demonstration sessions, with signoff via Blackboard quizzes. | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Exam | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Assignment-based version of practical sessions - Software development coursework | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written exam | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Design and validate a relational database from a given enterprise description, justifying design decisions.
2. Implement a database design and a range of complex queries using a relational database management system (RDBMS).
3. Access a database through an appropriate programmatic interface.
4. Explain and provide a rationale for relational, semi-structured and alternative data model concepts.
Brief description
This module develops the concepts of database design, and implementation and use. The emphasis is on relational and semi-structured (XML) systems, with NoSQL systems introduced. It covers practical topics concerned with modelling and effective use of the facilities provided by a modern Database Management System (DBMS). Theoretical topics include data modelling, placing particular emphasis on the data model, relational algebra and the realisation of the relational model in a DBMS.
Content
Review and persistence, outline history. The value of general models: relational; object oriented; semi-structured. Databases, DBMS and applications programs. DBMS as reuse.
2. Relational Modelling
Entities and relationships. Connection traps. The design of relations. Transformation of an E-R model into a relational schema. Use of UML.
3. The Relational Model
Domains, relations and tuples. Primary and foreign keys. Referential integrity. Relational algebra. Null values and the outer join. Data normalisation. Validating a design.
4. SQL and implementation
Introduction. Status. DDL statements. SELECT clauses. Constraints. Built-in functions. Queries and views. Nested SELECT. Stored procedures.
5. Additional relational integrity constraints
Table and database level constraints. Triggers. Use of stored procedures.
6. Transactions
Introduction to transactions. ACID properties. Rollback.
7. Integration with high level languages
DBMS connections and services. An example API. Application development. The data dictionary. The Java Persistence API
Introduction to and practical demonstration of the Java Persistence API.
8. The semi-structured database model and XML
The model: outline; perceived advantages. The XML standard. XMLSchema and overview, comparison with SQL. XPath, XQuery and XSLT: syntax; power. XML databases: native databases; extensions to RDBMS.
9. Not Only SQL (NoSQL)
NoSQL background. NoSQL paradigms – BigTable, Key-Value, Document, Graph/Triple -stores. Choosing which NoSQL system is appropriate. NoSQL and ACID consistency
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | The assessment requires professional written work. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | |
| Information Technology | The module is a computer science module and so is all about digital capability. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Problem solving is intrinsic to programming in general, and to database programming in particular. |
| Research skills | Analysing and taking a critical approach to data modelling is central to this module. |
| Subject Specific Skills | In order to develop a database application, it is necessary to research user requirements and available technologies. Additionally an understanding of databases enhances all research skills, as research materials now all reside in databases. |
| Team work | This module will require individual rather than team work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5