Introduction to Databases
A beginner-friendly crash course on the fundamentals of databases. Learn how to design relational databases, write standard SQL queries, apply data normalization, and explore modern NoSQL and vector databases.
What is a Database? Define what a database is and explain the role of a Database Management System (DBMS). Contrast databases with traditional spreadsheets using simple analogies. Identify the basic components of a relational database system. Entity-Relationship (ER) Modeling Identify entities, attributes, and relationships within a data system. Differentiate between primary keys and foreign keys. Design a basic Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram. Data Normalization Principles Explain the purpose of data normalization and why unstructured data causes anomalies. Apply First, Second, and Third Normal Forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) to organize unnormalized data. Identify common pitfalls of poorly structured relational data. SQL Fundamentals: Creating and Modifying Data Define SQL and its role as an ANSI standard language for relational databases. Execute CREATE TABLE statements to build database structures. Perform INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations to manage data. SQL Fundamentals: Querying Data Write SELECT queries to retrieve specific columns from a database table. Apply WHERE clauses to filter data based on specific conditions. Combine data from multiple tables using basic JOIN operations. Beyond Relational: NoSQL and Modern Trends Differentiate between relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) databases. Identify common use cases for document and key-value databases. Explain the role of vector databases in AI and modern cloud-native database trends.