CSCI 485: File and Database Management
Computer Science Department
University of Southern California
Spring 2010, TTH 11-12:20 (KAP 165 )

Overview

File input/output techniques, basic methods for file organization. File managers, principles of databases, conceptual data models, and query languages.
Presently, the relational database technology plays a pivotal role in the commercial arena. There is a growing interest in the use, design, and implementation of these systems. This course introduces students to the fundamental concept in relational databases. Students are introduced to: 1) Conceptual, logical and physical organization of data, 2) Use of both formal and commercial (e.g. SQL) query languages, 3) Indexing techniques for efficient retrieval of data, 4) The concept of a transaction, 5) Concurrency control and crash recovery techniques. These concepts are exercised further by a term project that involves design and implementation of services provided by a relational file system.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students are expected to possess the following skills:

  ·      Ability to apply knowledge of ER data model and relational algebra
  ·      Knowledge of logical design of a database and reduction of an ER model to relational data model
  ·      Ability to design a database and write SQL commands to retrieve and manipulate data
  ·      Ability to describe different software layers to implement a database management system
  ·      Knowledge of file system organization of relations and their records
  ·      Ability to describe alternative persistent index structures and their use for query processing
  ·      Knowledge of different storages (disk, memory) and their physical characteristics
  ·      Knowledge of estimation techniques to implement a cost-based query optimizer
  ·      An understanding of designs that preserve database consistency in the presence of concurrent users and system crashes
  ·      Role of caching techniques and their performance
  ·      An understanding of the concept of a transaction lock-based concurrency control protocols and log-based recovery
     techniques
  ·      Terminology essential to communicate with database practitioners, e.g., normalization, index structures, relational algebra,
     etc
 

Grading

Late assignments and projects will be accepted within 7 calendar days following the due date. Late assignments and projects will be penalized 15 + 3×(N-1); where N is the number of calendar days late. Assignments and projects submitted more than 7 days will not be accepted and will receive a grade of 0.
“Make-up” exams will not be given.

Reading List

Academic Integrity Policy

All Assignments and projects must be solved and written independently, or you will be penalized for cheating. The USC Student Conduct Code prohibits plagiarism. All USC students are responsible for reading and following the Student Conduct Code.
In this course we encourage students to study together. This includes discussing general strategies to be used on individual assignments. However, all work submitted for the class is to be done individually.
Some examples of what is not allowed by the conduct code: copying all or part of someone else's work (by hand or by looking at others' files, either secretly or if shown), and submitting it as your own; giving another student in the class a copy of your assignment solution; consulting with another student during an exam. If you have questions about what is allowed, please discuss it with the instructor.
Students who violate University standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the University. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students, and the University, policies on academic integrity will be strictly enforced. We expect you to familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity guidelines found in the current USCampus.
Violations of the Student Conduct Code will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct, and appropriate sanctions will be given.