Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS) from Coursera

Are you ready to dive into the world of data engineering? In this beginner level course, you will gain a solid understanding of how data is stored, processed, and accessed in relational databases (RDBMSes). You will work with different types of databases that are appropriate for various data processing requirements.

You will begin this course by being introduced to relational database concepts, as well as several industry standard relational databases, including IBM DB2, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Next, you’ll utilize RDBMS tools used by professionals such as phpMyAdmin and pgAdmin for creating and maintaining relational databases. You will also use the command line and SQL statements to create and manage tables.

This course incorporates hands-on, practical exercises to help you demonstrate your learning. You will work with real databases and explore real-world datasets. You will create database instances and populate them with tables and data.

At the end of this course, you will complete a final assignment where you will apply your accumulated knowledge from this course and demonstrate that you have the skills to: design a database for a specific analytics requirement, normalize tables, create tables and views in the database, load and access data.

No prior knowledge of databases or programming is required.

Anyone can audit this course at no-charge. If you choose to take this course and earn the Coursera course certificate, you can also earn an IBM digital badge upon successful completion of the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Relational Database Concepts

In this module, you will first learn about the fundamental aspects of data structures and file formats, along with the differences between relational and non-relational databases. You’ll explore various types of data models and discuss fundamental concepts in database management. Additionally, you’ll explore Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD) along with their components and relationships. You will also gain expertise in diverse database topics. Finally, you’ll gain a clear understanding of Db2 and PostgreSQL.

Using Relational Databases

In this module, you’ll explore the types of SQL statements, like Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML). You’ll learn how to create, modify, and manage tables using DDL statements and understand data movement utilities for efficient data loading and management. Additionally, you’ll dive into key database objects such as schemas, primary keys, foreign keys, and indexes, gaining insights into their roles in data organization, integrity, and retrieval. You’ll also understand the importance of normalization for reducing redundancy and ensuring data consistency, while also understanding various constraints within the relational model to maintain data accuracy and reliability.

MySQL and PostgreSQL

In this module, you will learn about the fundamental aspects of MySQL and PostgreSQL and identify Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) tools. You will explore the process of creating databases and tables and the definition of keys, constraints, and connections in MySQL. Additionally, you will discover important processes in PostgreSQL using command line, pgAdmin, and views. Moreover, you will gain essential skills such as database loading techniques and insights into securing sensitive data and streamlining data retrieval.

Final Project and Assessment

In this module, you will navigate the database design process, refine your practical skills, and understand essential steps. You will discover the role of Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs) and get an opportunity to engage in a hands-on database design lab, where you will use your theoretical knowledge to create databases. As you progress, you will receive an optional final assignment and project submission stages. For those seeking an advanced challenge, a final project using Db2 is available. A glossary is available for quick reference to key terms used throughout the module.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers relational database concepts, which are foundational in database management

Emphasizes industry-standard relational databases like IBM DB2, MySQL, and PostgreSQL, ensuring familiarity with widely-used tools

Provides hands-on exercises with real databases, fostering practical skills and proficiency in data management

Teaches SQL statements and data management utilities, equipping learners with essential data manipulation techniques

Covers database normalization, ensuring data integrity and reducing redundancy, essential for effective data management

Requires no prior knowledge of databases or programming, making it accessible to beginners

Reviews summary

Well-received intro to relational databases

According to students, this course is well-received and serves as a good introduction to relational databases. Learners say that this introduction to RDBMS provides a solid foundation in the subject and features engaging assignments to help students gain hands-on experience. In addition to its strong content, this well-designed course has great video lectures and offers a final quiz that's both challenging and instructive.

Suitable for beginners with little to no prior knowledge of relational databases.

"This is a really good course for beginner"

"One of the best courses for beginners"

"great introduction to how RDBMS works"

Introduces students to multiple relational database management systems (DBMS).

"Good overview of several popular RDBMS's"

"This course is well-received and serves as a good introduction to relational databases."

"The introduction to relational Databases is excellent due to is large introduction and wide explanation of the functionality of the open source software, gives you some exercises to try them freely, and also teaches you notions to operate with IBM Cloud."

Provides valuable hands-on practice through lab exercises.

"Simply great practice-wise! Enjoyed the practical side and hands-on exercises very much!"

"The course is well structured and well explained with extra hands on experience. I strongly recommend this course."

"It is great course to learn relational databases using different DBMS (Db2, PostgreSQL, and MySQL). Plus, the lab materials are useful to practice."

Peer grading assignments may not always be reliable.

"Why does the peer review assignment dictate if we pass the course of not."

"my peer graded assignment is showing failed but all the marks which has been given is full marks, then why is it showing so."

Some students experienced technical difficulties with the lab environments.

"Problems with Lab environments. Slow / poor support."

"Many problems with the Skill Labs tools and I had to instal everything on my local computer in order to complete this course"

"Half of the course reference to non existant UI (cloud DB2 has new UI). Postgress lab don't work. Lab cli just hangs forever."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS) with these activities:

Review basic programming concepts and data structures

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Refresh your understanding of fundamental programming concepts and data structures to strengthen your foundation for data engineering.

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Review online tutorials or textbooks on basic programming concepts.
Practice writing simple programs to implement basic data structures.
Complete coding exercises or challenges to test your understanding.

Review 'Data Science for Beginners'

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Review the introductory concepts and techniques of data science to build a strong foundation for this course.

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Read the first three chapters of the book.
Summarize the key concepts covered in each chapter.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.

Create a comprehensive resource notebook

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Organize and review all course materials, including lecture notes, assignments, and quizzes, to enhance retention and understanding.

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Gather all course materials and organize them in a notebook.
Create summaries and mind maps to reinforce key concepts.
Review the notebook regularly and add additional notes as needed.

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Complete SQL queries on sample databases

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Practice writing and executing SQL queries on sample databases to gain familiarity with the syntax and data manipulation techniques.

Browse courses on SQL

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Find a sample database online or create your own.
Use a SQL editor or command line to connect to the database.
Write and execute queries to retrieve, filter, and aggregate data.

Follow tutorials on advanced SQL techniques

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Expand your SQL knowledge by following tutorials on advanced techniques such as window functions, joins, and subqueries.

Browse courses on SQL

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Search for tutorials on specific SQL techniques.
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided.
Apply the techniques in practice on your own sample database.

Attend industry meetups and conferences

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Connect with professionals in the data engineering field to gain insights, learn about industry trends, and expand your network.

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Research industry meetups and conferences relevant to data engineering.
Attend the events and actively participate in discussions.
Connect with speakers, attendees, and potential mentors.

Design and create a relational database for a specific use case

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Develop a thorough understanding of database design principles by creating a relational database for a specific use case.

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Identify the requirements and use case for the database.
Create an Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) to model the data.
Design the database tables and define their relationships.
Implement the database using a SQL database management system.
Load data into the database and test its functionality.

Contribute to an open-source data engineering project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the data engineering community by participating in an open-source project.

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Identify an open-source data engineering project that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify an area where you can contribute.
Submit a pull request with your proposed changes.
Collaborate with the project maintainers to refine and merge your contribution.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Database Developer

A Database Developer designs, develops, and maintains database systems. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Database Developers to perform their job duties effectively, such as designing and implementing database schemas, writing SQL queries, and optimizing database performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Developer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines and infrastructure. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Data Engineers to perform their job duties effectively, such as designing and implementing data pipelines, building data warehouses, and optimizing data storage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses statistical and machine learning techniques to extract insights from data. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to query data. This knowledge can help Data Scientists to perform their job duties effectively, such as building predictive models, developing data visualization dashboards, and presenting findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the basics of relational databases and how to use SQL to query data. This knowledge can help Data Analysts to perform their job duties effectively, such as extracting data from databases, creating reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Software Engineers to perform their job duties effectively, such as designing and implementing database schemas, writing SQL queries, and optimizing database performance.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Web Developers to perform their job duties effectively, such as designing and implementing database-driven websites and writing SQL queries to retrieve and update data.

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Health Information Manager

A Health Information Manager plans, develops, and maintains health information systems. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Health Information Managers to perform their job duties effectively, such as designing and implementing health information systems, managing health data, and ensuring the security and privacy of health information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst gathers and analyzes business requirements to develop solutions that meet the needs of an organization. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Business Analysts to perform their job duties effectively, such as understanding data requirements, designing data models, and developing business intelligence solutions.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and optimizing company databases. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Database Administrators to perform their job duties effectively, such as creating and managing database schemas, monitoring database performance, and troubleshooting database issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Product Manager

A Product Manager develops and manages products, from initial concept to market launch. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Product Managers to perform their job duties effectively, such as understanding data requirements, designing data models, and developing product roadmaps.

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Systems Administrator

A Systems Administrator installs, configures, and maintains computer systems and networks. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Systems Administrators to perform their job duties effectively, such as installing and configuring database software, monitoring database performance, and troubleshooting database issues.

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Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Information Security Analysts to perform their job duties effectively, such as identifying and mitigating security risks, monitoring data access, and responding to security incidents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Market Researcher

A Market Researcher gathers and analyzes market data to understand consumer behavior, identify market trends, and develop marketing strategies. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Market Researchers to perform their job duties effectively, such as extracting data from market research databases, creating market research reports, and presenting findings to clients.

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Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to make investment recommendations, develop financial plans, and assess the financial health of companies. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Financial Analysts to perform their job duties effectively, such as extracting data from financial databases, creating financial models, and presenting findings to clients.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation, such as user manuals, product documentation, and training materials. This course may be useful in this role, as it teaches the fundamentals of relational databases and how to use SQL to manage data. This knowledge can help Technical Writers to create accurate and informative documentation on database-related topics.

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