DT249
BSc in Information Systems
and Information Technology

Now accepting applications for January 2009

SDEV3003 (Stage 3)
Advanced Database Systems (10 ECTS)
 

• Prerequisite Modules
• Description
• Aims
• Learning Outcomes
• Learning and Teaching Methods
• Content
• Assessment
• Recommended Reading

Prerequisite Modules

• SDEV2002 Database Systems

Description

This module builds on the introduction to database concepts and technologies provided in Database Systems by presenting advanced implementation aspects of the relational database model, and introduces emerging database models such as Object-Oriented and Object-Relational databases and new applications for database technologies.

Aims

1. allow students to understand advanced topics relating to the relational model

2. allow students to understand alternate database models and techniques

3. allow students to understand new applications for database systems
    

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of advanced implementation concepts for the relational database model and analyse the implications of those concepts
2. discuss the limitations of the relational database model
3. discuss and analyse the characteristics of the object-oriented and object-relational database models
4. compare the various architectures for distributed databases and analyse the issues involved in distributed database design
5. compare, contrast and analyse the various emerging technologies for database systems
6. analyse strengths and weaknesses of the applications of database technologies to various subject areas
7. employ conceptual data modelling techniques for object-oriented and object-relational database design
8. implement an object-oriented or object-relational design using appropriate tools and techniques
    

Learning and Teaching Methods

Lectures, self-study, labs, tutorials, and any combination of discussion, case study, problem-solving exercises, readings, seminars, and computer-based learning.

Content

• Advanced implementation features of the relational model:
  • Query optimisation:
    • implications of physical organisation of database file (file organisation, record type and size, file allocation methods, access methods) for query optimisation
    • cost functions
  • Transaction processing:
    • concurrency control
    • ACID properties of transactions
    • schedules
    • database recovery mechanisms
    • deadlock and starvation
    • granularity
• Object-oriented and object-relational databases:
  • Characteristics of object-oriented and object-relational databases
  • Comparison with traditional relational model and applications for which OODBMS may be suitable
  • OODBMS architecture, standards
  • ODMG Object Model
  • OO database definition and query languages
• Distributed databases:
  • Reasons for use of distributed databases
  • Comparison of distributed databases with stand-alone databases
  • Issues related to distributed DBMS:
    • ensuring transparency, reliability, availability
  • Implications of distributed architecture for query processing, dealing with concurrency
  • Replication
  • Mobile databases
• Other database technologies:
  • Multimedia databases:
    • Multimedia data types and standards
    • Performance related issues for multimedia databases
  • Web-enabled databases:
    • Advantages and disadvantages of the Web as a database platform
    • Overview of methods for integrating databases with the Web:
      • Scripting languages
      • CGI
      • non-CGI gateways
      • JDBC
      • EJBs
      • Servlets
      • JSPs
      • ASPs
  • XML databases:
    • Semi-structured data
    • Overview of XML
    • XML technologies
    • Mapping XML to databases

Assessment

The methods of assessment to be used to measure the learning objectives stated above are written examination and continuous assessment including one or more of assignment, essay, problem-solving exercise, oral presentation, and class or lab tests.

• Continuous Assessment: 30%
• Examination: 70%

Recommended Reading

• R. Elmasri and S.B. Navathe, Fundamentals of Database Systems, 4th Edition. Addison-Wesley, 2003.
• T. Connolly and C. Begg, Database Systems - A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management, 4th edition. Addison-Wesley, 2005.
• B. Rosenzweig, A. Mizell and E. Silvestrova, Oracle PL/SQL: Interactive Workbook, 2nd Edition. Prentice-Hall, 2002.
• C.J. Date, An Introduction to Database Systems, 7th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2000.
• E.T. Ray, Learning XML, 1st Edition. O'Reilly, 2003.
• B. McLaughlin, Java and XML, 1st Edition, O'Reilly, 2001.
• Oracle Website - http://www.oracle.com/ 
• TechOnTheNet: Tutorials in SQL, PL/SQL - http://www.techonthenet.com/oracle/index.php 
• SQLZoo: SQL tutorials, Introduction to Web programming using Java, Perl - http://www.sqlzoo.net/ 
• Introduction to XML - http://www.xml.com/