- Knowledge of the main characteristics of a database management system - Knowledge of the structure and properties of the relational model - Knowledge of query languages for a relational database: Relational algebra and SQL language - Ability to write queries in the relational algebra and SQL languages - Knowledge of the conceptual Entity-Relationship model for data representation and of the methodology for conceptual and logical design of a relational database - Ability to design a relational database - Knowledge of the SQL statements for view management, data access control, and transaction management - Knowledge of the interaction techniques between SQL statements and programming languages - Ability to design and develop an application accessing a database - Knowledge of active database systems and SQL statements for trigger definition. - Ability to write triggers in the SQL language.

Basic programming skills.

Course topics and their weight in credits (CFU): - Characteristics of a database management system (0.2) - Characteristics of the relational model (0.2) - Relational algebra (0.4): main operators and query definition - SQL language: statements for data definition and processing (1) - Conceptual data model (Entity-Relationship) and methodology for the conceptual and logical design of a relational database (0.8) - SQL language: statements for view management, data access control, and transaction management (0.4) - SQL for applications: client-server architectures, integration of SQL statements into a programming language, stored procedures, design of a client-server web-based architecture accessing a database (0.7) - Active database systems and SQL statements for trigger definition (1.05) - Practices on SQL language, relational algebra, conceptual and logical database design, and triggers (2.2) - Laboratory sessions on the SQL language, the design of an application accessing a database, and triggers (1.05).

The course includes lectures in the classroom, whose topics are described earlier, and practices on the lecture topics, and in particular SQL language, relational algebra, conceptual and logical database design, and triggers. Students will prepare an individual written report on the exercises proposed during the course. The report will contribute to the final exam grade. The course includes laboratory sessions on the SQL language, the design of a client-server architecture accessing a database, and triggers. Laboratory sessions allow experimental activities on the most widespread commercial and open-source products.

The reference book, covering the majority of the course topics, is: Database Systems – Concepts, Languages and Architectures Paolo Atzeni, Stefano Ceri, Stefano Paraboschi and Riccardo Torlone McGraw-Hill [A free PDF file of the book is available at http://dbbook.dia.uniroma3.it/] The following book supports practices: Baralis, Belussi, Psaila, "Basi di dati: temi d’esame svolti", Esculapio, 2000. Copies of the slides used during the lectures, examples of written exams and exercises, and manuals for the activities in the laboratory will be made available. All teaching material is downloadable from the course website or the Portal.

Lecture slides; Text book; Practice book; Exercises; Exercise with solutions ; Lab exercises; Lab exercises with solutions; Video lectures (current year); Self-assessment tools;

You can take this exam before attending the course

Exam: Individual project; Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

The exam includes a written part, which lasts 90 minutes, and the assessment of individual homeworks assigned during the course. The submission of individual homeworks is optional. The written part will assess: - the knowledge of the relational algebra operators, the capability to write queries in SQL, the key aspects of the design of relational databases, and the management of active database systems. - the working knowledge of the SQL language and how to integrate SQL statements into a programming language, and the major relational database systems. The individual practices’ reports will assess: - the ability to design and develop a web application to access a database. - the ability to write queries in both relational algebra and SQL. - the ability to design relational databases and active database systems. Exam structure and grading criteria. The written part consists of multiple choice questions and a set of exercises that require to answer an open-ended and/or a closed-ended question. The points assigned to each exercise/question will be specified within the text of the exercise/question. Wrong answers to closed-ended questions may cause a penalty (negative points). Missing answers yield zero points (no penalty). The written part consists of: - 2-4 closed-ended questions on the course topics (max 3 points) - 1-3 exercises on writing queries to access data in a relational database through relational algebra with open-ended questions and/or closed-ended questions. (max 4 points) - 2-3 exercises on writing queries to access data in a relational database through SQL language with open-ended questions and/or closed-ended questions. (max 10 points) - 1-2 exercises on triggers with open-ended questions and/or closed-ended questions (max 4 points) - 2-3 exercises on conceptual database design with open-ended questions and/or closed-ended questions (max 7 points) - 1-2 exercises on logical database design and on the definition of referential integrity constraints with open-ended questions and/or closed-ended questions (max 3 points) Exercises are assessed based on the correctness of the proposed solution and to the appropriateness of the adopted methodologies of resolution. The teacher may request an integrative test to confirm the evaluation obtained in the written exam. The integrative test will be based on the same topics of the written exam. Students are not allowed to use textbooks, notes, or additional electronic devices of any kind. The delivery of individual practices’ homeworks during the course is optional (max 2 points). The final exam grade is defined by evaluating both the written part and the homeworks. The homeworks are considered only if the written part evaluation is sufficient (grade equal or higher to 18).

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.