Information Page for MIS/CS 240
Database Management Systems
Walt Will
What are databases, and who uses them?
Companies and other organizations need to keep track of information --
in many cases, massive amounts of widely varying information. They need to be able
to pull together selected items of information in order to make decisions important
to the organization. Databases are the structures that allow them to do that.
What is a database management system?
The DBMS is the software package that the organization purchases and
uses to maintain its database(s). It is a highly sophisticated system, allowing
multiple users to access data simultaneously; it provides security, protection of
data, methods of access to the information, and generally manages the details of
the computing so that users are relieved of those details.
Why is the course cross-listed as MIS and CS?
The short answer is that MIS students will be more interested in the databases,
how to design them, and how to use them. The CS students will be more interested
in the DBMS and how it does what it does -- the more technical aspects of the
problem. In the real world, of course, the split between MIS and CS is not so
sharp, and there is value in knowing both facets of databases. So at Luther College
we combine the systems and the applications considerations into a single course --
this one.
What are the prerequisites? What if I don't meet them?
CS/MIS 28 and CS 29 are prerequisites. Lectures assume that students
have learned the ideas in the syllabi for those courses, and projects assume that
students have the technical (programming) skills typically mastered in them.
Students who do not have the background can be expected to encounter difficulties
in this course. Our experience is that some students are able to overcome
shortcomings in background with extra work, but most are not.
You mentioned programming; what programming language are we expected to use, and what
if I've forgotten much of it since taking the prerequisite courses?
CS 28/29 have been taught in Java for the past few years, so that
becomes the language of discourse -- and programming language for this course. If
you look here , you will find the course Web page, and
a reference to the fact that these days, databases are accessed over the Internet.
Since Java programming is a principal way to manage internet communication, Java
becomes more important in this course than ever before. So students who do
no programming in Java have a problem. Of course we understand that most
students will be less than perfect in Java. The text has an appendix intended
to help, and in fact one benefit of this course is that we revisit and therefore
strengthen our programming skills.
The other
main programming language used in the course is SQL -- the standard language
used in relational databases. It is not expected that students know SQL on entering
the course, and learning it is part of what we do in CS/MIS 43.
Four meetings per week for a 3-unit course?
Our structure has been to have three "regular" class meetings, and a 1-hr lab set
up on another day. The lab really functions as a time-saver during the first half
of the semester, as students are introduced to our software in a setting with the
prof in the room to answer questions at that time, without the typical time-consuming
questions that occur. During the second half of the term the time is allocated as
an "open" lab, in which teams of students can work together on class projects at a
time and in a place where they have access to help.
There are likely to be other questions and concerns. Feel free to contact me about
them -- by email if you wish.
willwalt@luther.edu