About this Course

The Database series, initially one of Stanford's inaugural massive open online courses in 2011, is now divided into a structured sequence of five self-paced courses facilitated by Stanford Online. These courses dive deep into various aspects of databases, particularly focusing on relational databases and SQL, and extending into advanced topics like database theory, OLAP, recursion, and semistructured data. Key aspects such as database design methodologies, scalability, and efficiency are also covered. Renowned Professor Jennifer Widim leads the series, leveraging rich content including video lectures, quizzes, and interactive exercises.

Course Description

This program primarily introduces participants to the foundational and advanced concepts of database technologies, particularly relational databases and SQL. With a blend of theoretical and practical elements, the courses address the entirety of database systems including design, efficiency, querying languages, and concurrency control, among others.

What Students Will Learn

• Core concepts of relational database systems and management
• Comprehensive skills in SQL for managing and querying databases
• Advanced database operations such as indexing, transactions, and authorization
• Design and theory underpinning databases, covering normalization, OLAP, and recursion
• Handling of semistructured data using XML and JSON

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

No prior prerequisites are required to enroll in the introductory course of this series, making it accessible to beginners. However, subsequent advanced courses may need an understanding of the contents taught in the foundational courses.

Course Coverage

• Introduction to relational databases and SQL
• Advanced SQL topics including indexing, transactions, and constraints
• Database design and theory including normalization and schemas
• OLAP functionalities and recursion in SQL
• Handling and querying of semistructured data (XML, JSON)

Intended Audience

This course is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing a career in database administration, data analysis, or software development, as well as those curious about backend system functionalities and database management.

Real-world Application

Skills acquired from this series can be applied in various sectors including technology, finance, telecommunications, and healthcare, amongst others. Professionals can design robust databases, manage data integrity, and optimize database queries to support business operations and decision-making processes.

Syllabus

1. Relational Databases and SQL: Basics and querying with SQL
2. Advanced Topics in SQL: Performance optimization, transactions, and security
3. OLAP and Recursion: Analytical processing and recursive queries
4. Modeling and Theory: Database design principles and relational algebra
5. Semistructured Data: Techniques for managing XML and JSON