Basically, Chapters 5, 6, & 7 from the textbook. We have covered the second part of the course, II. Queries. While we talked about some relational-calculus examples, these are not covered by the test (except to know what it is).

Only topics covered both in the reading and in class are fair game. Test #2 is not cumulative, so it does not test the topics covered by Test #1. (That said, to understand the topics here, you pretty much have to have understood what came before.)

We did not cover SQL OLAP or NoSQL & semi-structured from the **Schedule**.

1. relational algebra (conceptual query languages) [Ch2 §4,5 & Ch5 §1]
   1. relational algebra operators
   2. composing the operators
2. SQL [Ch 6: §1–5 & Ch 7]
   1. data query language basics
      1. syntax & conceptual model
      2. select-from-where block
      3. multi-relation queries
      4. NULL values & their effects
   2. data query language “advanced”
      1. aggregation
      2. group by & having
      3. sub-queries: where & how they can be used
   3. data definition language
      • create, alter, & drop
   4. data manipulation language
      • insert, update, & delete
      • all-or-nothing principle (transactions)

And, of course, queries, queries, queries! Be comfortable with queries.

Go through the reading and the examples in the textbook. Consider the problems at the end of each chapter and work some of them. Go through the exercises I have provided.

Exercises

Some exercises outside of the lecture notes that we have done in class: exercises (PDF); and exercises w/ answers (PDF).

Past Tests

• test #2 from winter 2019: test #2 (PDF), test #2 w/ answers (PDF)
• midterm from winter 2018: midterm (PDF), midterm w/ answers (PDF)
  (Note that there was one midterm for this class, so it covered less material.)
• test #2 from fall 2016: test #2 (PDF), test #2 w/ answers (PDF)
• test #2 from fall 2015: test (PDF), test w/ answers (PDF).
• test #2 from winter 2014: test (PDF), test w/ answers (PDF).
• test #2 from winter 2013: test (PDF), test w/ answers (PDF)
• test #2 from winter 2011: test (PDF), test w/ answers(PDF)
• test #2 from winter 2009: test (PDF), test w/ answers (PDF)

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.