| CS145 Introductory Information |
|
| CS145 Introductory Information |
This and other documents can be found in hardcopy form at the ``handout hangout'' between the A and B wings on the 4th floor of Gates. Whatever is not picked up in class will appear there, but we shall not restock the supply once it is gone.
We shall also learn some other database languages, both concrete and abstract, including relational algebra, Datalog, ODL/OQL (the object-oriented database emerging standard), and parts of SQL3 (the next relational standard). We cover the language PL/SQL, which is specific to the Oracle DBMS that we use in the class laboratory, including ``object-relational'' features that allow object-oriented features into relational systems. Finally, we shall cover XML and DTD's (document-type definitions), that is another emerging standard for representing databases as documents, in the HTML tradition. A Course outline is available.
It is not our goal to study database system implementation (e.g., how to build a system that processes SQL queries efficiently). Study of that very important subject begins in CS245.
In addition, there is a televised section, Thursdays, 2:45--3:35PM, in Skilling 191. We may add more (nontelevised) sections if there is demand. Attendence is optional, but advised.
| Person | Role | Office | Phone | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey D. Ullman | Instructor | 411 Gates | (650) 725-4802 | 9-10 Tuesdays, 9-11 Fridays Special: all morning Tuesday 10/5 | ullman @ cs.stanford.edu |
| James Brooks | TA | 193D Gates | (650) 725-3256 | 2-4 Mondays, 11-noon Fridays | jbrooks @ cs.stanford.edu |
| Brian Cooper | TA | 193D Gates | (650) 725-3256 | 1-3 Tuesdays, noon-1 Thursdays | cooperb @ db.stanford.edu |
| Roy Goldman | TA | 419 Gates | (650) 725-3358 | 10-11 Mondays, 10-12 Tuesdays | royg @ db.stanford.edu |
| Srinivas Vemuri | TA | 193A Gates | (650) 723-6059 | 3-5 Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 Wednesdays | svemuri @ cs.stanford.edu |
| Marianne Siroker | Course Secretary | 436 Gates | (650) 723-0872 | N/A | siroker @ db.stanford.edu |
We shall assume that students are proficient already with Unix and C. (C++ is not required, but it is allowed for those who prefer to use it.)
SITN students can access the Unix workstations remotely via dial-in (try 650-325-1010) or telnet. If you have access to ar Oracle-8 system including PL/SQL and Pro*C, you may use that. We have to be sticky about what system you use not because we love Oracle, but because we are going to be exploring some very specific capabilities of this system, and it will present problems for you and us both, if you do not have all these features. We cannot make any exceptions for problems incurred by using your own computing facilities rather than those provided by Stanford.
Since we are going to be using the Oracle system, you may also wish to purchase one of several Oracle manuals. I got myself a copy of:
Students may also wish to purchase an SQL2 manual, although SQL2 is not quite identical to the version of SQL supported by Oracle. Two recommended books are:
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We hope that messages to this list will be limited to notes of general interest to the class. In most circumstances, you should use the cs145-help list mentioned above in order to have a question about the course material answered.
Also, do not try to subscribe to the cs145-help list if you are not a TA for the class.
No late homeworks will be accepted. However, each student is allowed one extension of at most 48 hours. This amount of time cannot be divided among assignments; it applies to one assignment only.
Final: On campus, location to be determined. The final this year is on Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, 8:30--11:30AM. All local TV students must come to campus for the final.
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Project | 30% |
| Homework | 20% |
| Midterm | 15% |
| Final | 35% |
Also, please do not schedule any extended trips, including business trips, during the time classes are in session. If you must do so, it is your responsibility to get the work in on time. If you are an SITN student, and you want me to talk to your supervisor about the importance of timely participation in this course (and others), I will do so. However, it is not in your best interests to accept the model that your job assignments take priority over your studies.
I know this section sounds like an old curmudgeon grousing, but every year I get a large number of requests for exceptions and postponements. If the reason for the exception is medical, you have my complete sympathy and cooperation. However, most nonmedical excuses do violence to my obligation to run a fair course. For instance, taking the final before or after the regular period gives you a huge advantage against students who must take all their finals in a short timespan. (An exception is a case where you are asked to take 3 finals within a 24-hour period; then, the University gives you the opportunity to postpone one of the exams, and I support this position.)
Another reason why we have to keep everyone together is that it is important to be able to publish solutions to assignments and exams in a timely manner. We cannot do so if people are given extensions of the deadline. Especially, if you are a remote SITN student, we're happy to have you in the class, but it is important for the reason just described that you keep no more than 48 hours behind the class. SITN has in the past been willing to send out tapes immediately, but if they don't, first ask them, and if that doesn't work, ask me.
We shall not deduct credit for small amounts of acknowledged assistance. Even working as a team on one of several problems in a problem set may not hurt your grade, as long as all members of the group acknowledge their collaboration. Such shared interest can be beneficial to all concerned. We do reserve the right to give less than full credit in circumstances where it appears that there has been large-scale division of labor, and you are not getting as much learning out of the assignment as you should. However, as long as you acknowledge your sources, you cannot get into Honor-Code trouble.
If you have any questions about what this policy means, please discuss the matter with the instructor now.