DD2469 Database Theory 6.0 credits
This course has been discontinued.
Last planned examination: Autumn 2012
Decision to discontinue this course: No information inserted

Advanced course in computer science focusing on the theoretical, mathematical foundations for database systems.
Course offering missing
Course offering missing for current semester as well as for previous and coming semestersContent and learning outcomes
Course contents
Refreshing, extension and formalization of basic concepts and mathematics from earlier courses: Relational algebra, tupel calculus, and domain calculus. Different key concepts. Functional dependencies, axioms and deduction rules for these. Lower normal forms, theorems and proofs concerning normal forms. Algorithms for normalization.
General dependencies: Multi-valued dependencies, join dependencies, axioms and deduction rules for these.
Higher normal forms: Theorems and proofs. Algorithms for normalization to higher normal forms.
Transitive closures and their use: Connection to the normal forms. Algorithms to compute transitive closures and for the verification of normalized structures.
Formalization of non-normalized structures: Extensions and generalizations of the relational model and the formalizations related to it.
Introduction to models: The relational model, the nested relational model, functional and logical models, object models. The mathematical foundation for the different models. Generalization of the concept of a model.
Optimization: Mathematical principles for query optimization. Cost functions.
Intended learning outcomes
The goals of the course are to give the students
- deeper knowledge of relational algebra and relational calculus, functional dependencies, normal forms, and optimization of queries to a relational database system
- knowledge of and proficiency in using set-valued dependencies, join dependencies, higher normal forms, transitive closures and their use, and formalization of non-normalized structures
- give an introduction to different generalizations of the concept of models, formalization of the different generalizations of the concept of models, and cost calculations when optimizing queries to a relational database system
so that they will
- have a solid theoretical foundation in database handling systems and their applications,
- be able to apply the mathematical theories on real database systems.
Course disposition
No information inserted
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
No information inserted
Recommended prerequisites
One of the courses 2I1100/IV1008 Information Systems and Databases and 2D1334/DD1334 Database Technology or the equivalent.
Equipment
No information inserted
Literature
Reading list available at the department. Previous year: P. Atzeni & V. De Antonellis: Relational database theory, Benjamin/Cummings.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- LAB1 - Assignments, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
In this course all the regulations of the code of honor at the School of Computer science and Communication apply, see: http://www.kth.se/csc/student/hederskodex/1.17237?l=en_UK.
Other requirements for final grade
Assignments (LAB1; 6 university credits).
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
No information inserted
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
No information inserted
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course web
No information inserted
Offered by
Main field of study
Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Information and Communication Technology
Education cycle
Second cycle
Add-on studies
Please discuss with the instructor.
Contact
Kjell Lindqvist, tel: 790 6276, e-post: kjellq@nada.kth.se
Supplementary information
The course is given every second year.