Relational Database Design Concepts

All HOTT courses are available face-to-face, remote-live, on-demand or on-site at your facility. 

This relational database design class develops relational database design skills and techniques. Practical methodologies such as E-R diagrams and normalization forms are emphasized. Attention is placed on designing for data integrity and efficiency at the same time.

Students Will Learn: 

• Design normalized table structures for relational databases 
• Create databases and tables
  Using primary and foreign keys
  building a logical data model 
• Implementing the data model with DDL 
• Creating, modifying and dropping database objects 
• Writing SQL Queries 
• Using inner and outer joins 
• Manipulating query results

During hands on lab sessions students are required to design multiple database models from business requirements and specifications. Through hands on experience using SQL programming code to create, populate and manage relational tables, students will experience the necessity of proper design methods and gain an in depth understanding of the link between design, creation, and utilization. The impact of alternative designs on maintainability and database performance is emphasized. 

Course Prerequisites: General computer knowledge. Familiarity with relational database concepts is helpful but not required.

Course Overview

Developing Relational Databases

• Overview of Relational Database Concepts
• Relational Databases and Relational Database Management Systems
• Database Development Methodology Overview
  - Conceptual, Logical and Physical Data Models

Building a Logical Data Model

• Identifying Entities and Attributes
• Relationships Between Entities (Oneto-One, One-to-Many, Many-to-Many)
• Creating Entity-Relationship Diagrams
• Normalization as a Design Technique
• Progressive Steps to Normalization (First, Second, and Third Normal Form)

Transforming to Physical Design 

• Migrating Entities to Tables
• Selecting Primary Keys
• Defining Columns
• Enforcing Relationships with Foreign Keys
• Enforcing Business Rules with Constraints

Constructing the Database Using DDL

• CREATE DATABASE
• Creating Objects with CREATE
  - Creating Tables, Indexes, Stored Procedures, Triggers and Views
• Modifying Objects with ALTER
  - Adding Columns to a Table
  - Modifying Parameters to a Stored Procedure
  - Adding Constraints to a Column
  - Modifying the Timing of a Trigger
  - Changing the Body of Stored Procedures and Views
• Removing Objects with DROP
  - Dropping Tables, Indexes, Constraints and Views

Manipulating Table Data Using SQL's Data Manipulation Language (DML)

• Inserting Data into Tables
• Updating Existing Data
• Deleting Records
• Truncating Tables
• Implementing Data Integrity with Transactions
  - Beginning Explicit Transactions
  - Committing Transactions
  - Rolling Back Transactions
  - Defining Save Points

Writing Basic SQL Queries

• Displaying Table Structures
• Retrieving Column Data From a Table or View
• Selecting Unique Values
• Obtaining a Row Count
• Filtering Rows Using the WHERE Clause
• Sorting Results Using ORDER BY
• Joining Multiple Tables
• Using Column and Table Aliases

Manipulating Query Results

• Using Row Functions
  - Character
  - Numeric
  - Date and Time
  - Data Conversion (CAST and CONVERT)
• Using the CASE Function
• Handling Null Values

Working with Table Expressions

• Overview of Table Expressions
• Working with Views
• Using Derived Tables
• Common Table Expressions
• Table-Valued Functions

Advanced Query Techniques

• Inner Joins
• Outer Joins (Left, Right, Full)
• Performing Self-Joins
• Subqueries
  - Simple
  - Correlated
• Using the EXISTS Operator
• Tips for Developing Complex SQL Queries
• Using Aggregate Functions
  - AVG
  - COUNT
  - SUM
  - MIN
  - MAX
• Performing Set Operations
  - UNION
  - INTERSECT
  - EXCEPT/MINUS
• Aggregating Results Using GROUP BY
• Restricting Groups with the HAVING Clause
• Creating Temporary Tables

Note: Classes do not have fixed location. Prior to each class they examine the geographical location of the enrolled students and then select a venue that will provide most convenient overall access for the students. Classes are held in hotel conference rooms and exact location is determined 2 weeks prior to the course date.