EECS-3421A
Introduction to Database Systems

York University
Fall 2015
Test #1 Preparation
 
  Coverage

Basically chapters 1–3 from the textbook. (We did not make it to chapter 19 on mormalization yet.) We have covered the first part of the course, I. Design.

Only topics covered both in the reading and in class are fair game.

  1. Basics and Overview (Ch.1)
    1. the relational model, basics
    2. data independence
    3. what functions database systems provide
  2. Entity-Relationship Diagrams (Ch.2)
    1. elements
      1. entities, weak entites
      2. relationships
      3. attributes
      4. hierarchies
      5. aggregation
    2. constraints
      1. key constraints
      2. participation constraints
    3. conceptual design and guidelines (§2.5)
    4. not covered
      • UML (§2.7)
  3. The Relational Model (Ch.3)
    1. SQL for schema creation and modification (DDL: data description language) (§3.1, §3.7)
    2. integrity constraints (§3.2, §3.3)
      1. key constraints (primary and unique)
      2. foreign keys
      3. general
    3. very basic SQL for queries (§3.4)
    4. logical design: E-R to Relational (§3.5)

 
  Preparation

Go through the reading and the examples in the textbook. Consider the problems at the end of each chapter and work some of them. (Answers to the odd numbered excercises are available at the textbook's web-site.) Go through the exercises I have provided.

 
  Policies

The test will be closed-note, closed-book. You may bring a calculator, but I cannot imagine that you would need one.

There will be space on the text packet for writing answers. I will bring extra paper, in case anyone needs it, to attach.

The test will be for the class lecture time, so 75 minutes.