Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the function and use of the relational database model; perform operations with a relational database application; discuss the function and theory of relational databases and their application to information management; and demonstrate knowledge of issues associated with relational databases.
Synopsis This subject familiarises students with relational database theory, techniques and practice. Students will be made aware of a range of database concepts, such as structured information, serial storage, sequential file organisation, extracting, sorting, merging and updating data. Random access file organisation, random and relative file organisation, key transforms and indexing techniques will be addressed. The subject will also deal with logical data structures (such as trees, networks, lists and rings) and database models. The theory and practice of relational database management systems and, by contrast, the CODASYL approach, distributed databases, object-oriented databases will also be included. Students will be introduced to formal query languages, specifically SQL.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 50% + Practical work, laboratory work, seminar participation and assignment: 50%