Database Design: Introduction - Aims and Objectives of the Course

Navigation:

---

Home

Database Design Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Students should be able to:

• Distinguish between Flat File and Relational Databases
• Use a database management package efficiently
• Understand (at an introductory level) boolean logic
• Describe what is meant by normalisation
• Use Entity Relation modelling techniques (at an introductory level)
• Design a simple relational database
• Describe the main differnces between a relatinal transactional database and a data warehouse

Session Objectives

1: Understanding Database Terminology

Understand what is meant by the term "Database"
Describe the uses of acomputerised database.

2: Working with an Access Table

Load Access
Edit a table structure
Add and Delete records
Differentiate between different Data Types
Set a key field
Implement simple validation Rules

3: Boolean Logic

Use the AND, OR and NOT logical operators
Use AND, OR & NOT in combination
Use Query files
Describe the term SQL.

4: Reports

Design a simple report file
Use a report file in a variety of situations
Design a multilevel report file
Present data in sorted order

5: Forms

Create a simple form
Use Filters in a Form

6: Macros

Create a simple macro
Test a macro
Debug a macro
Run a macro

7: Introduction to Relational Databases

Use more than one table in a database
Link two tables together with tutorial guidance
Crate a simple report using two related tables

8: Normalisation

Describe the limitations of a Flat File
Describe in general outline the process of Normalisation to 3rd Normal form
Implementing Relational Databases
Implement a simple relational database
Use queries, forms and reports in conjunction with a relational database.

 

9: Entity Relational Modelling

Describe the basic elements of the Entity Relational model
Use the Entity Relational model to design a simple relational database

 

10: Data Warehousing

Discriminate between different models of databases
Describe the features of a Transactional Processing system and those of an On LIne Analytical Processing system
Describe the basic elements of a Data Warehousing System

 

Related Modules

The material presented in this module both supplements and draws from the Information Systems and Business Systems modules.

The Computer Systems module provides a sound background to some of the hardware aspects of computing science.

The Good Web Design module provides an opportunity to explore web site design and hence opens the way to future exploration of database driven web sites.