The objective of this course is to provide an in-depth training in database design, implementation, and validation. The course will use Oracle relational database management system for this in-depth training. The course is useful to for everybody, especially to those who are either working in information processing area or plan to move into or for student seeking research degree (Ph. D.) in information management. At present the course covers only conventional topics such as SQL, PL/SQL, Forms, etc., but new topics such as Data Warehousing, JAVA, and Web programming, etc., will be added gradually.

    Oracle is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Nearly every organization uses Oracle for managing most of their day to day activities, which has been one of motivations of offering this course. Oracle can be loaded and run on any operating system (Window, NT, Unix, VMS, etc.). In this course we will use Oracle 8i, which is loaded on NT server. In the introduction lecture we cover architecture of Oracle where we learn how different components (hardware and software) of Oracle interact with each other in processing your database manipulation requests. A good understanding of the architecture of Oracle is very useful in database implementation and testing.

    After introduction to Oracle, we cover in detail the database design process and learn how from a general description of a Universe of Discourse (UoD) a semantic model of UoD is developed. A UoD is an object that performs some specific functions and for which a database is to be created. For example, a bank performs specific functions and if a database is to be created for the bank, then it is identified as a UoD. Similarly a university, a department, etc., can also be examples of UoD. The precise description of the UoD in plain English is usually the starting point of the database design. From this description, a database model is developed with help of a semantic database model. The semantics data model is a tool that helps us to translate the precise English description (external schema) of the UoD into a graphical representation. We will use enhanced version of data Entity-Relationship model (E-R Model) for this translation process.

    A semantic data model of a UoD must be translated to a logical data model before the database can be refined and implemented. We will cover in detail Relational data model and learn the process of translating E-R model to a relational model. The E-R modeling and relational data models are system independent. After the UoD has been translated into a relational model (logical database), it must be implemented. At this stage Oracle is introduced, which will be used to implement and validate the logical database you creat. The implementation and validation will require SQL and PL/SQL query languages, which will be cover in detail in this course. The entire course will include not more than three tests and one good size projects. Students who are working in a company are encouraged to bring their job projects to the class and finish them during the course work. Thus, for example, if a student who is working in a company and developing a database for the company’s warehouse system or payroll system is encouraged to bring the project in this course and complete it under instructor’s supervision.

    Our aim is to prepare every student of this class to become a first class database designer, implementer, and validater. This can be achieved only with mutual cooperation between the students and the instructor.