CS145 - Autumn 2009
Introduction to Databases
Course Content
CS145 provides the student with a comprehensive introduction to the design of databases and the use of database management systems for applications. We will cover the relational model, relational algebra, and SQL, the standard language for creating, querying, and modifying relational and object-relational databases. We will also learn about XML data, including the XML languages XPath, XQuery, and XSLT. The UML approach to database design will be covered, as well as relational design principles based on functional dependencies and normal forms. A variety of other issues important to database designers and users will be covered, including indexes, views, transactions, authorization, integrity constraints, and triggers. Finally, we will cover several advanced topics such as data warehousing, data mining, and others.

Automated exercises, query exercises, and written challenge problems are complemented by a programming project in which students build a database-backed online auction system with a web interface. Details of assigned work are provided on a separate page.

Time and Place
CS145 meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45, in Skilling Auditorium. The first class is on Monday September 21.

Class attendance: Class attendance is strongly encouraged for all on-campus students. SCPD students are also permitted to attend class. We will not take roll in class, and attendance is not a component of the final grade (see Grading below). However, in the case of borderline grades at the end of the quarter, for on-campus students class participation can be a determining factor.

Help Sessions
Many weeks there will be an optional TA-led, SCPD-broadcast help session, usually covering topics related to current assignments. Help sessions are on Fridays from 1:15-2:05 in Skilling 193, beginning the second week of class.

Prerequisites
CS103 (Mathematical Foundations of Computing) and CS107 (Computer Organization and Systems) are recommended but not absolutely required. CS145 should be accessible to anyone with a solid Computer Science foundation that includes a reasonable amount of programming (as in CS107) and knowledge of basic Computer Science theory (as in CS103). The programming project will use Unix, Java, the MySQL database management system, and some straightforward PHP web programming. We will assume that students are already proficient in Unix and Java. Previous experience with MySQL or PHP is not needed.

Books and Course Reader

Copies of The Complete Book and the SQL guide mentioned below are on reserve at the Math and CS library (Building 380, 4th floor).

Main textbook

One textbook is required for the course. You may purchase either of the two books listed below. A First Course consists of the first twelve chapters of The Complete Book, verbatim, and we will be using only those chapters in CS145. The Complete Book is the required textbook for CS245 (Database System Principles). If there is any chance you will eventually take CS245, or if you wish to have a comprehensive reference that covers databases from a systems as well as a user perspective, then you should purchase The Complete Book. Otherwise, A First Course suffices for CS145. The first two chapters of the textbook may be downloaded for free from either of the book web sites linked above, if you are unsure whether you will enroll in the course.

NOTE: Previous editions of these textbooks, although a useful resource, differ significantly from the latest (2008) editions. We will assume that all students are using the third edition of A First Course, or equivalently the second edition of The Complete Book.

SQL Guide

Students may also opt to purchase a book about the SQL database language, although you should be aware that MySQL's version of SQL, which we will be using, may differ slightly. One reasonably good SQL guide is:

There are numerous other books on SQL available, as well as some books devoted specifically to the MySQL system.

Course Reader

The CS145 course reader available at the Stanford Bookstore contains all lecture notes and demo transcripts for the class. While this material is also available via the course website, we recommend that students purchase a course reader -- copies of lecture notes will not be provided in class.

Gradiance
As part of your assigned work, you will be using the Gradiance system. Gradiance performs automated generation and grading of exercises, as well as interactive grading of SQL labs. Gradiance is a commercial system launched by Prof. Jeff Ullman and others, now partnered with Pearson Education.

There are two ways for you to buy access to Gradiance. You can purchase the "ValuePack" textbook at the Stanford Bookstore, which includes Gradiance access (ISBN #0137135262 for A First Course; ISBN #0138155046 for The Complete Book). Alternatively, you will be able to purchase Gradiance access separately for about $33 -- details will be provided in class.

Grading
The components of the final grade will be distributed as follows:

As mentioned in Time and Place above, although class attendance is not a component of the final grade, in borderline cases for on-campus students it can be a determining factor.

Students earning an A+ in the course (typically 3-5 students) will receive a personal letter of congratulations from the instructor, along with an invitation to enjoy lunch at the Stanford Faculty Club with Prof. Widom, the TA's, and the other A+ students. The A+ students also will be top candidates for CS145 TA positions in subsequent offerings of the course.

Incompletes are not offered as a grade option in CS145. Students are given incompletes only in the rare case of an incapacitating medical condition arising during the quarter and brought to the attention of the course staff in a timely fashion.

Course Conflicts
Students may be tempted to take another course at the same time as CS145 by watching lectures online and scheduling alternate exams. As stated in the Exams page, routine alternate exams will not be offered in CS145. The university strongly discourages students from enrolling in two classes given at the same time, and instructors are under no obligation to accommodate such students. If you provide an extraordinarily compelling case then an alternate exam may be given, but alternate exams are always oral exams given by the instructor.

Students with Documented Disabilities
Students who may need an academic accommodation based on the impact of a disability must initiate the request with the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) located within the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). SDRC staff will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend reasonable accommodations, and prepare an Accommodation Letter for faculty dated in the current quarter in which the request is being made. Students should contact the SDRC as soon as possible since timely notice is needed to coordinate accommodations. The OAE is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk; phone 723-1066.

Special Note for SCPD Students
While we understand the significant demands of taking a course while working, we would like to make it clear at the outset that no special exceptions can be made for SCPD students. SCPD students must follow the lectures, turn in the assignments, and take the exams on exactly the same schedule as on-campus students. (Bay Area SCPD students are required to attend the exams on campus.) SCPD students are graded using the same criteria as on-campus students. Please ensure in advance that you will not have any business trips or important deadlines that conflict with the course, since no exceptions will be made. Also note that like on-campus students, for emergencies you are allocated four unpenalized late days for assignments (see the Late Policy in the Assigned Work page).