CMPS 160: Databases
Introduction
A data model captures the essential entities and relationships in a model, as we have seen in the previous module. But a data model cannot be directly turned into a database and has to be transformed into a database design first. This step is sometimes confusing because superficially a data model and database design look much alike, but there are several important differences. The most important differences are that a database design requires the definition of primary and foreign keys, and the introduction of intermediate tables for many-to-many relationships. After finishing the database design the next step would be to implement it in an actual DBMS, such as MySQL.
Module Objectives
- Describe how the different types of constraints in a table (not null, unique, primary key, foreign key)
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Understand the difference between a column-level constraint and a table-level constraint.
- Describe the use of an index.
- Describe the use of a script for creating the tables of a database.
- Describe three character sets that are commonly used with MySQL and the pros and cons of each character set.
Learning Resources
- Module 9 Readings: Chapter 11
- Module 9 Slides: Chapter 11