- Docente: Fabio Grandi
- Credits: 6
- SSD: ING-INF/05
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Management Process Engineering (cod. 0050)
Learning outcomes
Aim of the course is to provide the theoretical and practical tools which are necessary to use an information system based on a relational DBMS platform. Basic notions of the underlying relational technology are also given. Part of the course is devoted to laboratory work on the MS-Access system.
Course contents
Enterprise information systems and data base management systems (DBMS). Introduction to basic concepts concerning information systems and databases. Relational theory ("informal" and formal version): base definitions, relational algebra, normal forms.
The standard query language SQL: DDL and DML. Simple (SPJ) queries and complex queries: aggregate functions, grouping, nesting and quantifiers, range variables and correlation. View definition and usage. Data quality: management of integrity constraints and normalization. Procedures and triggers (active databases).
The MS-Access system. SQL usage, visual interfaces and QBE. Database administration. Development of application through a host language: embedded SQL, cursors, access via ODBC.
Elements of relational technology. Data indexing via B+trees. General architecture of a DBMS. Query synthesis and optimization: access methods, join algorithms, access cost estimation (outline).
Readings/Bibliography
Reference books:
- P. ATZENI, S. CERI, S. PARABOSCHI, R. TORLONE, Databases, McGraw-Hill, second edition, 1999.
- F. GRANDI, Esercizi di Basi di Dati (in Italian), Esculapio, 2007.
- R. VAN DER LANS, Introduction to SQL, Addison-Wesley, 2001.
Teaching methods
Room lessons and exercises are given with the help of slides (through overhead projector or PC+projector).
Room work is also followed by Laboratory work, coached by a tutor, on MS-Access and relational DBMS usage. Students must prepare a project (relational database implemented on Access) whose evaluation is part of the final assessment.
Assessment methods
The final exam is mainly made of a written test, containing theory questions and practical exercises (SQL queries and optimization).
The written test is passed if it receives a 18/30 score on a total score of 33/30. Once the written test is passed, the student has to take a final talk where the written test is discussed and the project is evaluated.
Teaching tools
Informal notes (in Italian) on the course topics are available on the Web or as photocopies.
Links to further information
http://www-db.deis.unibo.it/~fgrandi/didattica.html
Office hours
See the website of Fabio Grandi