©Bob Godfrey, 2003, 2005 BSA206 Database Management Systems Lecture 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 / Slide 2 Textbook Oracle 9i: SQL with an introduction to PL/SQL by Lannes L. Morris-Murphy published 2003 by Thomson-Course Technology ISBN * The first 3 chapters are available online via WebCT (Links are in Virtual Lectures 1, 2 & 3)

Lecture 1 / Slide 3 Reference Material

Lecture 1 / Slide 4 Course Content  ORACLE To a level equivalent to the first exam (1Z0-001) of the Oracle Certified Professional streams for both Database Administrators and also Database Developers –SQL –SQL*Plus –PL/SQL  Database management –Relational approach –Object-oriented approach –Document databases –Web databases

Lecture 1 / Slide 5 Background Required  ESSENTIAL –General computer literacy client-server, storage devices etc. –Database literacy tabular representation E-R diagrams normalisation –Some prior exposure to SQL –WebCT Vista skills

Lecture 1 / Slide 6 Background Required  USEFUL –familiarity with general programming concepts structured programming modular construction program testing –application literacy order-entry payroll student records library catalogue

Lecture 1 / Slide 7 Assessment via Assignments  Oracle database maintenance exercise – prescriptive (40%)  Oracle database creation exercise - part prescriptive (30%)  Business report (30%)  No final exam

Lecture 1 / Slide 8 Assignment 1 Database Maintenance Report  Due date: Monday of teaching week 8  You are given an E-R diagram, and some SQL code to create the database tables and load them with data  Your task is to produce a collection of specified query and table maintenance scripts for this database.

Lecture 1 / Slide 9 Assignment 1 - Assessment Criteria  HD level:As well as demonstrating high-order skills in maintaining a relational database management system, also demonstrates a level of creativity and an attention to detail in seeking out optimal solutions to users problems.  DN level:Demonstrates high-order skills in maintaining a relational database management system, inspiring confidence in the ability to select appropriate mechanisms for any given problem situation.  CR level:Demonstrates an ability to carry out the more challenging aspects of maintaining a relational database management system.  PP level:Demonstrates an ability to maintain and manipulate a relational database management system.  NN (Fail) level: Fails to demonstrate an ability to maintain and manipulate a relational database management system.

Lecture 1 / Slide 10 Assignment 1 - Indicative Solution  A model solution to a previous year’s assignment 1  A guide to the high standard Business Report expected  Available through the unit’s WebCT Vista pages

Lecture 1 / Slide 11 Assignment 2 Database Creation Report  Due date: Monday of teaching week 12  You are given some test data with which to create a database  Your initial task is to build the database and develop some application scripts for this database  You will then be given actual live data 2 weeks before the due date, and this is that data which must be used for assessment

Lecture 1 / Slide 12 Assignment 2 - Assessment Criteria  HD level:As well as demonstrating high-order skills in creating a relational database management system, also demonstrates a level of creativity and an attention to detail in seeking out optimal solutions to users problems.  DN level:Demonstrates high-order skills in creating a relational database management system, inspiring confidence in the ability to select appropriate mechanisms for any given problem situation.  CR level:Demonstrates an ability to manage the more challenging aspects of creating a relational database management system.  PP level:Demonstrates an ability to manage the basic aspects of creating a relational database management system.  NN level:Fails to demonstrate an ability to manage the basic aspects of creating a relational database management system.

Lecture 1 / Slide 13 Assignment 2 - Indicative Solution  A model solution to a previous year’s assignment 2  A guide to the high standard Business Report expected  Available through the unit’s WebCT Vista pages

Lecture 1 / Slide 14 Assignment 3 Database Options Report  Due date: Monday following teaching week 13  You are required to provide a report on an aspect of database management systems, including alternative approaches to the Oracle relational approach, as specified in the assignment specifications.  No model solution is provided

Lecture 1 / Slide 15 Assignment 3 - Assessment Criteria  HD level: Given a written scenario, –describe and select from a number of alternatives, and –clearly demonstrate the assumptions and justifications, and –be capable of engaging in a meaningful discussion about the relative semantic merits of the various alternatives.  DN level: Given a written scenario, can select an appropriate approach based on a realistic comparative evaluation.  CR level: Can evaluate the differences in approaches of the various alternatives.  PP level: Can identify the features of the various alternative approaches.  NN level: Fails to identify the features of the various alternative approaches.