Instructor: John Pfaltz, Olsson Hall 221, 982-2222.
E-Mail: jlp@cs.virginia.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday: 11:00 - 12:00am, (or By Appointment)
Course Description:
Databases are one of the most misunderstood
computer concepts, even among computer professionals.
There is a kind of naive assumption that they are little more than
glorified file systems.
In fact, good database systems represent a kind of complete microcosm
of the computer world.
We will discuss the nature of programming languages.
We will investigate transactions and distributed concurrency, issues that
are normally relegated to operating systems.
We will be very involved in using the computer to create an abstract model
of the real world; in much the same way that a program is an
abstract representation of a real process.
We will develop a small body of formal theory.
In fact, the only aspect we will not study in this course is the nature
of file systems --- that we leave to operating systems.
Reading about database is important, and the text is excellent for that.
However, to truly learn a body of knowledge, one must use it.
You will be expected to complete assignments using a relational database
language.
You will complete a database design project of your own choosing.
While there will be pr9ogramming assignments, they will not be excessively
time consuming.
They will require a knowledge of SQL, which we will develop in the course.
Prerequisites: CS216 (Data Representation) and CS202 (Discrete Math) with grades of C- or above.
Course Text:
Silberschatz, Korth & Sudarshan,
Database System Concepts, McGraw-Hill: 1999.
Pfaltz, et al.
SDB Users Manual [Postscript or PDF]
Lecture Section: Monday, Wednesday: 8:30-9:50am, Thornton D 222
Class Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory.
Class Web Page: http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~cs462/
Grading and Evaluation: Grades will be computed as follows:
Class Outline: postscript or PDF
SDB source files: SDB directory
FLIX queries: My 'queries.cmd' file
Revised: 30 Aug 99