Exam preparation session

Examinable Topics Key characteristics of databases From data modelling to DB design –Beyond data modelling –Realistic constraints – key practical questions –Key decisions in design optimisation Categories of critical operations (inc. internet DBs) Issues in DB performance –Reading data in Oracle –Writing / changing data –Indexing –Partitioning Distributed DBs –Control / challenges / protocols for commit & abort / timestamping –Options for data administration

Examinable Topics (2) Creating Oracle DBs –When DB is created –Block size –Tablespaces –Object creation: sizing / extents / segments / tables / views / clusters Data Warehousing –From OLTPS to DMSS –Data extract explosion –Data quality –Datawarehouse architecture / life cycle / data models / implementation approaches –Datamarts –Predefined reports / OLAP / data mining Transferring / migrating data –Data staging areas –Data cleaning –What can go wrong + utilities Advanced Database tuning methodologies and techniques

Exam paper 120 marks (+80cw = 200) 6 questions must do 4 type 5 questions: a & b 1 straight question All are focused on one specific topic but can involve material across lectures Notes (web + class attendance) are sufficient

Sample question Question x (a) Explain how Oracle™ handles the sizing and the growth of objects in a tablespace (e.g: segments, extents, pctincrease factor, block size etc…) and what this means for database administrators (13 percent) (b) Explain the use of tablespaces in Oracle™ and the reasoning behind creating and organizing them (e.g. business relevance, types of objects, etc). (12 percent)