The course covers the fundamental concepts of management and design of database systems.  Topics include data models (ER and relational); query languages (SQL); 
implementation techniques of database management systems (index structures and nd query processing).
 

The learning objectives of the course, expressed according to the Dublin descriptors, are:

Knowledge and understanding

• To understand the main concepts of management and design of database systems
• To understand concepts and tools for querying databases of different nature (therefore with structured and unstructured data) and at different scales
• To understandi the role and the impact that data and their correct modeling may have on software applications using them

Applying knowledge and understanding

• To be able to design, starting from the requirements, a relational relational database, from a conceptual and logical point of view.
• To be able to understand and use the SQL language to manage data and perform efficient queries.

Making judgements

• Analyzing functional and non-functional requirements
• Understanding the implications of design choices related to response times and alternative implementations
• Understanding the implications of design choices related to change management and maintenance of alternative software stacks
• Understanding the performance issues associated to alternative DBMS

Communication skills 

• Preparing database specification documents, addressing the specificity of conceptual and logical modellation 
• Explaining the motivations behind specific design choices

Learning skills

• Learning how to use the tecnologies for the development of databases and their scalability 
• Learning how to compare alternative projects schemese from different perspectives
• Learning to recognize design principles underlying alternative modellation development strategies

Recommended.

Models and Languages for Database Management

• Fundamentals of Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• Relational databases:
  • Relational Model: basic concepts, integrity* constraints and keys*.
  • SQL language: data definition*, data modification*, queries*, views*, transactions*.
  • Advanced SQL: triggers*, procedures* and assertions
  • An example of relational DMBS: MySQL.

Design of databases

• Conceptual design: E/R model*, conceptual design strategies*, quality verification.
• Logical design: restructuring of the E / R schemes,* translation into the relational model*.

 * Topics to know and understand to pass the exam.

1. Basi di dati - 4/ed, Modelli e linguaggi di interrogazione. Di: Paolo Atzeni, Stefano Ceri, Piero Fraternali, Stefano Paraboschi e Riccardo Torlone, Casa editrice: Mc-Graw-HIll
2. Teaching materials provided by the instructor

Exam

The exam consists of two parts covering:

1. Database design, starting from a set of requirements and steady-state workload data.
2. Implementation in MySQL.

The parts are assessed based on the ability to analyze the problem and justify design decisions, the correctness of the proposed E/R schema, and the correctness and completeness of the SQL implementation.

If further clarification is needed, an oral examination may be required to discuss the design choices and implementation, in order to verify the knowledge actually acquired. The exam is considered passed if a sufficient mark is achieved in both parts.

Midterm Assessments

Students attending the course may take part in two midterm assessments, which will be held during the teaching period: SQL Midterm Assessment Access to this assessment is conditional on the submission of:

• in-class exercises completed during lessons. Submissions are due by the end of the lesson itself.

homework assignments given during the first half of the course.

Database Design Midterm Assessment

Access to this assessment is conditional on the submission of:

• in-class exercises completed during lessons. Submissions are due by the end of the lesson itself.

If further clarification is needed, an oral examination may be required to discuss the design choices and implementation, in order to verify the knowledge actually acquired.