Databases are essential to maintaining the information base in almost all modern business enterprises and to electronic commerce. They are also becoming increasingly important as a fundamental tool in much scientific research. Some knowledge of databases is now essential in any of these areas. The study of databases draws on several areas of computer science: logic, algorithms, programming languages and operating systems.
This module is an introduction to the principles underlying the design and implementation of databases and database management systems. It will cover the languages that have been developed for relational databases, their implementation and optimisation. It will also introduce some recent developments in databases including object-oriented, object-relational systems, semistructured data and the relationship between databases and XML. The bare essentials of transaction processing will also be covered.
Students intending to take this option should note that that it requires basic knowledge of logic and theory of computation.
The main topics covered - not necessarily in the order given - are as follows:
There will be a series of homeworks and practical exercises.
* Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke Database Management Systems (Third Edition) McGraw-Hill 2002. Please note that all database textbooks are expensive. At the time (Oct '02) of writing, this was one of the cheapest database textbooks.