Download SDLC Tute - Information Management and Systems

IMS1907 Tutorial 10, Summer Semester, 2004/5
Monash University
School of Information Management and Systems
IMS1907 Database Systems
Summer Semester 2004/5
Tutorial 10 – Structured Query Language (SQL)
Tutorial Objectives
- to develop an understanding of structured query language and how it is used to
create databases and tables, populate the tables and query the data contained in
those tables
to apply the understanding of SQL to create a simple database using MySQL –
an open source DBMS
Tutorial Resources
- Tutorial 10 handout – Structured Query Language (SQL)
- IMS1907 Lecture 9, 10 – SQL – Data Definition Language (DDL)
Tutorial Questions
Provide brief answers to the following questions:
1. What are some of the benefits of using a standard relational language to create and
manage database systems?
2. What are some of the disadvantages associated with the use of SQL as a standard
relational language to create and manage database systems?
3. What is meant when we say “standardization is the natural enemy of variety?
What does this mean in the context of database system development?
4. List and describe the five elements of the SQL environment that were considered
in the lecture.
5. List and describe the principle SQL commands that we use to create and manage
database systems.
6. List and describe the three relational operations that DML allows us to perform.
7. Why is choice of data types so important to database development? What are some
of the common data types found in the relational DBMS software MySQL?
8. What details need to be specified when defining tables using DDL?
9. What are the two ways we can populate data tables using SQL commands?
10. What SQL commands would you use to view existing databases and tables?
11. What is the basic structure of an SQL select statement?
12. Why is the DISTINCT command important?
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IMS1907 Tutorial 10, Summer Semester, 2004/5
Tutorial Task
This week we will look at SQL and introduce you to this query language using the
open source relational DBMS, MySQL. MySQL is an ANSI compliant DBMS that is
freely available. For the most part, the commands and command syntax used in
MySQL are identical to that used by other relational DBMS programs such as Oracle,
SQL Server and DB2 to name a few. In some cases, the commands and syntax used in
MySQL may differ slightly from those used by other DBMS products but this is not
uncommon in proprietary products.
The version of MySQL we are using is version 4.0.21. While this version does not
have the full command set that later versions have, it is more than suitable for the
purposes of introducing you to SQL. It also runs on PCs using operating systems other
that Windows XP Pro.
This can be freely downloaded at
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/4.0.html
Go to the Windows downloads section of the web page to obtain a Windows version
of the MySQL software. If this is not possible notify your tutor and a copy will be
made available to you.
You will also need to access the MySQL Reference Manual to complete the tutorial
exercise. The Reference Manual for MySQL can be obtained in two ways:
a) After you have loaded MySQL, look in the MySQL/Docs folder on your computer.
This folder contains the MySQL manual in text and HTML formats, or
b) Go to the MySQL website at
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/index.html
This site houses an extremely comprehensive online version of the MySQL
Reference Manual
Go to Chapter 3 of the MySQL Reference Manual – MySQL Tutorial.
Work through the MySQL Tutorial at your own pace. If you have any problems or
issues, consult your tutor.
Next tutorial we will build on the understanding you gain from completing this
tutorial by introducing you to more complex SQL statements and queries.
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