CST 363 Week 1

  • Relational database tables and spreadsheets look similar with both having rows and columns.  What are some important differences between the two?
Functions within a relational database can ensure partially handled transactions do not cause inconsistencies in the database. Databases also have the ability to enforce relational and business rules that may be difficult to incorporate with excel.  With excel, a user could input records that violate these rules and break referential integrity. Also, spreadsheets in excel can not relate data to other spreadsheets like how  database tables can relate data with other tables with the use of foreign keys.
  • Installing and configuration a database and learning how to use it is more complicated that just reading and writing data to a file.  What are some important reasons that makes a database a useful investment of time? 
The features of a database prevent errors in database operations from causing inconsistencies in data. This is essential for businesses like banks where incomplete transactions could cause inaccuracies in financial data. Transactions can be rolled back in an event such as this to prevent customers or the bank from losing money. In addition to protecting the assets of a business, databases allow for large amounts of data to be efficiently accessed. This would be beneficial to businesses that need to quickly find a record amongst millions of other records or that need to manipulate large amounts of data at once.
  • What do you want to learn in this course that you think will be useful in your future career? 
The main thing I want to learn in this class well is SQL. I believe that the experience with SQL I will gain through this class will allow me to better incorporate databases into personal projects for my portfolio. Projects that incorporate a database layer may better showcase a student's understanding of software engineering design patterns and principles. Outside of personal projects, databases are also used in a wide variety of applications throughout the industry today. Backend software development often deals with use of databases that support functionality of applications.

 

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