DATABASE A - E

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); noSQL databases.
 

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 (and non) relational database, from a conceptual, logical and physical point of view.
• To be able to understand and use the SQL language to manage data and perform efficient queries.
• To be able to create and query unstructured databases (NoSQL) by manipulating JSON documents

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.
• Database NoSQL:
  • JSON*
  • ACID vs BASE*
  • "Scheme-less"* models
  • NoSQL DB types*: key-value, document-based, column-based and graph-based
  • CAP Theorem*
  • Overview of NoSQL frameworks: MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra, HBase, Neo4j
• MongoDB*: Selectors, Search, Sort, Pipeline, Grouping

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