| Training & Development - Technical Training Curriculum
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Introduction to Relational Databases
This lecture-only session has drawn rave reviews from UCSC staff, who have found it to be extremely informative. The goal is to learn how to properly design a relational database from the viewpoint of a database design architect without having to go to an engineering school. You'll learn about the fundamental principles of sound relational database design. Then you'll understand why information is usually stored in multiple tables, what data should be stored where, and how that information is accessed when it is needed. Using a pencil and paper, you'll put what you've learned into practice as you sketch out plans for the creation of a useful relational database system.
Attend this lecture before you take your FileMaker or Access classes and the relational aspect of the classes will make more sense to you when it is introduced. Attend this lecture after you take your FileMaker/Access classes and you'll have a greater understanding of the relational topics that were covered in those classes. People who have attended this lecture have said they understand for the first time how relational databases work, why they are so useful, and now they are better prepared to use and improve existing databases on campus.
Presenter(s): Frank Widman, Senior Technical Training Consultant
Prerequisite: Introduction to Windows or Macintosh, or equivalent experience
Enrollment: Use our Online
Registration Form,
or call 459-5565.
Additional Information: This class is intended for users on either PC or Mac. The software, class, materials and user interface are interchangeable in both labs.
Related Courses:
| Schedule |
| Date |
Time |
Fee |
Location |
|
July 21, 2011
|
9am - 4pm |
$25 |
Kerr Hall Room 8
|
Course Outline
- Introduction
- Why design a database?
- Purpose, objectives and benfits
- What is a relational database?
- 2 types of databases
- A bit of history
- Advantages of Relational Databases
- Design Objectives
- The normalization process-first, second and third normal forms
- Terminology
- Value-related terms
- Structure-related terms
- Relationship-related terms
- Integrity-related terms
- Conceptual Overview
- Workflow of the design process
- Starting the Process
- Create a mission statement for the database
- Design mission objectives
- Analyzing the Current Database
- How information is collected and used
- Interviewing the users
- Establishing the Table Structure
- Creating a preliminary table list
- Types of tables
- Elements of an ideal field
- Elements of an ideal table
- Keys
- Importance of key fields
- Types of keys
- Elements of a primary key and a foreign key
- Field Specifications
- Field level data integrity
- Four elements of field specifications
- Table Relationships
- The three types of relationships
- Establishing relationships
- Relationship characteristics
- Business Rules
- The two major business rule types
- Define and establish field level and relationship level business rules
- Validation tables
- Reviewing Data Integrity
- Review the overal design process
- Review at field, table, relationship and business rule levels
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