Introduction to Databases from Coursera

In this course, you will be introduced to databases and explore the modern ways in which they are used. Learn to distinguish between different types of database management systems then practice basic creation and data selection with the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) commands.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work

- Identify and explain the different types of core technology and management systems used in

databases

- Identify and interpret basic SQL statements and commands

- Manipulate records in a database with the use of SQL statements and commands

- Outline alternatives to SQL

- and plan and design a simple relational database system

You’ll also gain experience with the following:

• Fundamental concepts in database

• Basic MySQL syntax and commands

• Database management systems

• MySQL software

• Relational databases

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Databases

In this module, you’ll receive an introduction to the course and explore possible career roles that you could follow as a database engineer. You’ll also review some tips on how to take this course successfully and discuss what it is that you hope to learn. As part of your introduction, you’ll learn about the basics of databases and data and how they work. You’ll then receive an introduction to SQL, or Standard Query Language, the coding syntax used to interact with databases. Finally, you’ll explore the basic structure of databases and discover the different types of keys they use.

Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) Operations

In this module, you’ll explore CRUD, or Create, Read Update and Delete operations. You’ll begin with an exploration of SQL data types and learn how to differentiate between numeric data, string data and default values. You’ll also embark upon several exercises in which you’ll learn how to utilize these different data types within your database projects. You’ll then move on to learn how to Create and Read data within a database. You’ll discover how to create databases and tables and populate them with data using SQL statements. Lastly, you’ll explore the SQL statements used for updating and deleting data in a database. And to demonstrate your ability with CRUD operations, you’ll complete exercises that will task you with creating and managing data.

SQL Operators and sorting and filtering data

In this module, you’ll explore SQL operators and learn how to sort and filter data. You’ll begin this module with a lesson on SQL operators. As part of this first lesson, you’ll explore the syntax and process steps used to deploy SQL arithmetic and comparison operators within a database. Next, you’ll discover how to sort and filter data using clauses. The clauses that you’ll learn about include the Order By clause, Where clause and Select Distinct clause. In each lesson item, you’ll receive an overview of how each clause is used to sort and filter data in a database. You’ll also view demonstrations of these clauses and then receive an opportunity to try them for yourself.

Database design

In this module, you’ll learn about database design. In the first lesson, you’ll receive an overview of how to design a database schema. As part of this overview, you’ll learn about basic database design concepts like schema and find out about different types of schemas. The next lesson focuses on relational database design. In this lesson, you’ll explore how to establish relationships between tables in a database using keys. You’ll also learn about the different types of keys that are used in relational database design, such as primary keys and foreign keys.

Graded assessment

In this module, you’ll have an opportunity to recap what you learned and identify your strengths as well as target topics that you would like to revisit in this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for aspiring or practicing database administrators to learn SQL

Teaches modern uses and applications of databases

Taught by Meta staff, leading experts in the field of database management

Covers the fundamentals of database systems and concepts

Provides hands-on experience with MySQL and SQL commands

Requires prior knowledge of database concepts and programming

Reviews summary

Introduction to databases

Learners say Introduction to Databases is a largely positive course for students of all levels who are curious about databases. The engaging assignments include lots of exercises and quizzes to make sure learners have grasped concepts. Some learners found the difficult exams and the overall heavy workload to be challenging, but the great job that Professor Jennifer Widom does in teaching the course makes it highly recommended.

Engaging assignments

"Very powerful course on Databases. Lots of exercises."

"Finally I could find a course where databases where explained in a clear and simple way. The huge amount of example and exercises is a great learning tool."

Great lectures

"Professor Widom explained things very well"

"There was a total of almost 900 minutes of video lectures, or 100 minutes per week on average. The video lectures showed the material to be covered as slides, with a small picture in the lower right-hand corner showing Professor Widom as she presented the material."

"Prof Windom provides an excellent dose of RDB theory and programming"

Heavy workload

"Be aware the workload is heavy though :-)"

"The sheer volume of the homework assignments made the whole exercise a little too pedantic at times"

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 Databases with these activities:

Review Database Systems: The Complete Book

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Review a seminal text on databases to build a stronger foundational understanding.

View Database Systems: The Complete Book on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters to establish a foundation.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Summarize the key concepts in each chapter.

Join a study group to discuss database concepts and projects

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Engage with peers to enhance understanding and collaboration.

Browse courses on Databases

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Find or create a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss course material.
Work together on projects and assignments.

Practice SQL queries on W3Schools

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Practice SQL queries to gain proficiency and improve understanding.

Browse courses on SQL

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Choose a topic to practice.
Complete the exercises provided.
Challenge yourself with more advanced queries.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Follow tutorials on Coursera to learn advanced SQL techniques.

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Expand your SQL skills by following guided tutorials.

Browse courses on SQL

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Identify areas where you need to improve your SQL skills.
Find relevant tutorials on Coursera.
Complete the tutorials and practice the techniques.

Attend a workshop on database optimization

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Sharpen your skills and learn best practices for database optimization.

Browse courses on Database Optimization

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Find a relevant workshop.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate.
Implement the techniques learned in your own projects.

Create a database schema for a real-world scenario.

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Design a database schema to apply your understanding of database concepts.

Browse courses on Database Design

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Identify a real-world scenario that requires a database.
Determine the entities and relationships involved.
Create an ER diagram to represent the schema.
Implement the schema in a database management system.

Build a simple database application using Python and MySQL

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Apply your knowledge to build a practical database application.

Browse courses on Database Applications

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Design the database schema.
Create the database and tables.
Write Python code to interact with the database.
Test the application and refine as needed.

Participate in a hackathon focused on database technologies

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Challenge yourself and gain practical experience in database technologies.

Browse courses on Databases

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Find a relevant hackathon.
Form a team or work individually.
Develop a database-related solution.
Present your solution and compete for prizes.

Career center

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

Database Engineer

A Database Engineer designs, builds, and maintains databases. This is the ideal career for someone who wants to work as a Database Engineer because it provides a deep understanding of the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, leading to the ability to design, build, and maintain databases effectively. The course also provides experience with the fundamental concepts in database, basic MySQL syntax and commands, database management systems, MySQL software, relational databases, and provides hands-on experience with Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Engineer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, builds, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Software Engineer because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Data Analyst because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Database Administrator because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to build models that can be used to make predictions and decisions. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Data Scientist because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, builds, and maintains websites. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Web Developer because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Computer Systems Analyst

A Computer Systems Analyst analyzes and designs computer systems. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Computer Systems Analyst because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, and how databases interact with other computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Software Test Engineer

A Software Test Engineer tests software to ensure that it meets requirements. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Software Test Engineer because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, which are an important component of software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Test Engineer

Information Technology Project Manager

An Information Technology Project Manager plans, executes, and closes information technology projects. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as an Information Technology Project Manager because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Project Manager

IT Consultant

An IT Consultant provides consulting services to businesses on how to use technology to improve their operations. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as an IT Consultant because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes and identifies opportunities for improvement. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Business Analyst because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Architect

A Data Architect designs and builds data architectures. This course provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data. This makes it a great option for someone who wants to work as a Data Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Project Manager because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects computer systems and data from unauthorized access or damage. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as an Information Security Analyst because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, which contain critical data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs business systems. This course may be useful for someone who wants to work as a Systems Analyst because it provides a foundation in the concepts and principles that underpin how databases work, as well as experience with CRUD operations, SQL Operators, and sorting and filtering data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst