DATABASE M - Z

The course aims to give the knowledge and basic skills for database representation, organization and querying. The course mainly refers to the relational data model widely adopted in commercial and open-source systems. The course thoroughly introduces relational algebra, the SQL query language, the Entity-Relation model, the normalization of databases: Boyce-Codd and 3NF, transactions and recovery of databases, XML (along with xpath and xquery), and the basis of NoSQL data. MySQL in connection to the host language PHP.

General teaching training objectives in terms of expected learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to give the knowledge and basic skills for database representation, organization, and query.
   
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire the skills needed to design conceptually and logically a database. You can implement a relational database using SQL and interface with suitable host languages. In addition, acquired concepts to achieve non-relational databases such as XML and NoSQL. In this respect, a part of the course will consist of practical lessons which will be presented in MySQL, CouchDB, MongoDB, the PHP language, JavaScript, and Ajax.
   
3. Making judgments: Through concrete examples and case studies, the student can independently develop solutions to specific problems related to databases.
   
4. Communication skills: the student will acquire the necessary communication skills and expressive appropriateness in using technical language in the general area of ​​databases.
   
5. Learning skills: The course aims, as the goal, to provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical methods to deal independently and solve new problems that may arise during a work activity. For this purpose, we will cover several topics involving students searching for possible solutions to real issues, such as query optimization.
   

Lectures.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Course year: Second - first semester

Scientific Disciplinary Area: INF/01

CFU: 9 hours: 72

Propaedeuticities: Programming 2

The primary resources available to the student are face-to-face lectures. Attendance is mandatory.

The course slides are shared with the students to help them better follow the lectures. However, the slides do not constitute a means of study; they provide details on the topics covered in class.

• Introduction to databases: data models, general information about DBMS.
  
• The data model: The relational model. Relationships, attributes, instances of relationship, tuples. Integrity constraints, the key concept. relational algebra: basic and derived operators.
  
• The SQL (Structured Query Language). The data definition language: definition of tables, domains, indexes. Specification of simple integrity constraints. The query language: the join-selection-projection operators, aggregates operators, grouping operator. Nested queries and related, set operators. Recursive queries. The data manipulation language: insertion, deletion and modification of tuples. Definition of views, generic integrity constraints. Controlling access to a data base. Active databases.
  
• Design of databases: Conceptual design; logic design; physical design
  
• Normalization of data bases: Abnormalities. Functional dependencies. Decompositions of diagrams: which store records that preserve the functional dependencies. Normal forms: Boyce-Codd and 3NF.
  
• Basis of XML data
  
• Introduction to NoSQL database.
  
• Systems: MySQL (php / javaScript / Ajax interfaces). CouchDB, MongoDB.
  

Textbooks:

• Atzeni,Ceri,Paraboschi, Fraternali, Torlone, Basi di Dati, McGraw-Hill.

• Albano-Ghelli-Orsini, Fondamenti di basi di dati, Zanichelli.

Other suggested books:

• Garcia-Molina, Ullman, Widow Database Systems: The Complete Book, Prentice Hall.

The knowledge acquired is assessed through a written exam followed by an interview where the student discusses a project. The grade is expressed on a scale of thirty, up to a maximum of 30/30 cum laude.

The written exam will consist of 8-10 exercises on the topics covered during the lessons (the exam lasts 1h.30 minutes. The exam includes a further oral interview in which a project is discussed. The project is assigned by the teacher after the end of the course. The tests aim to evaluate: i) the level of knowledge of the topics covered during the course; ii) the ability to apply this knowledge to solve specific problems related to databases (problem-solving and independent judgment); iii) clarity of exposition; iv) the use of specific language.

Learning assessment can also be carried out remotely if conditions require it.

The following parameters will be taken into account in assigning the final grade:

• Score 29-30 cum laude: The student demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the topics, promptly and correctly integrates and critically analyzes the situations presented, independently solving even very complex problems. He/she has excellent communication skills and competently masters medical-scientific language.
  
• Score 26-28: The student has a good understanding of the topics, is able to integrate and analyze the situations presented critically and logically, solves complex problems quite independently, and presents the topics clearly using appropriate medical-scientific language.
  
• Score 22-25: The student understands the topics reasonably, even if limited to the main areas. He/she can integrate and critically analyze the situations presented, even if not always in a linear way, and presents the topics quite clearly with moderate linguistic competence.
  
• Score 18-21: The student has a minimal knowledge of the topics, has a modest ability to integrate and critically analyze the situations presented, and presents the topics in a sufficiently clear way, although his/her linguistic competence may be poorly developed.
  
• Failed exam: The student does not have the minimum required knowledge of the course's fundamental contents. The ability to use a specific language is minimal or non-existent, and the student is not able to independently apply the knowledge acquired.
  

Those who do not pass the written test cannot take the oral exam. The written test can be viewed before the oral tests.

Unless otherwise communicated, the written exam takes place at 9:00

Notes:

• It is prohibited to use any hardware (calculators, tablets, smartphones, cell phones, BT earphones, etc.), books, or personal documents during the exams (written).
  
• To take the exams, booking using the appropriate form on the CEA portal is mandatory.
  
• Late bookings by email are not permitted. The exam cannot be recorded without a booking.
  
• The learning assessment may also be carried out electronically if conditions require it.
  
• Students with disabilities and/or DSA must contact the teacher and the CInAP representative of the DMI well before the exam date to communicate that they intend to take the exam using the appropriate compensatory measures.