Com4008: Introduction To Databases- Database Design And Development Arden University

COM4008

Introduction to Databases

Database Design and Development

Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn

(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission)

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Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a database design and development assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of databases and data management systems.

2. Understand key principles of relational database design techniques.

3. Apply knowledge and understanding of database design and development to design, implement, and test a relational database solution for a given scenario.

Guidance

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard system(s). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.

You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number. Maximum word count: 3000 words

Please refer to the full word count policy which can be found in the Student Policies section here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework

Please note the following:

Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.

The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations and references). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count.

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10-percentage point deduction.

Assignment Task

Task 1

1. Explain, in your own words, what is meant by the term “relational database management system (RDBMS)”. Detail the characteristics of such a system and give two examples of RDBMSs in use today. 

1. Explain the 3-tier client-server application architecture, detailing the role of a DBMS in this architecture.

You MUST write your own answers and be sure to properly cite any sources used to inform your responses.

Any material copied directly from a third party with minimal or no paraphrasing (occasional synonym substitution, adding or removing adjectives and conjunctions) will not count as your own contribution.

(500 words)

Task 2

1. A nursing home wants to create a small database driven application to advise staff on the resident patient’s medication types, doses, and times for administering said medication.

A current paper record looks like this:

Reflecting on the fields in this paperwork, normalise the data and present it as a series of tables. Explain each step taken to normalise to first normal form (1NF), second normal form (2NF) and third normal form (3NF) in turn. You have been supplied the following conceptual model, in a Chen diagrammatic style, and asked to transform it into a physical model fit for implementation in a MySQL RDBMS.Translate this diagram into a physical model in a tabular form with crow’s foot notation, making sure to include all appropriate information (Data types, keys, constraints, etc.)

Accompany your diagram with explanations of all assumptions made about data formats and any decomposition decisions.

TASK 3

Scenario:

You have bought on as a database developer at a small web development company.

They have a new client, a local football club, who have engaged the company to build a website to help run their tournaments.

The company has a well-established front end development team, but unfortunately their sole database expert was poached by a larger company recently with little warning. As such they have had no time for a handover of knowledge on this project and have discovered that the back-end development was not documented at all!

The database is mostly complete, but there appear to be a few errors and missing functions. They will need fixing before the service can go into an open beta.

Provide solutions for the following problems in the form of SQL code and a brief explanation of your reasoning (approx. 300 words each). Also, apply your code to a copy of the sample database and include screenshots evidencing this in each case:

1. The front-end developers need some sample content entering into the fixtures table, so that they can run some tests. Provide SQL code that will add 5 suitable dummy records into the table for testing. Explain your choices.
2. Provide SQL statements that will return the sample fixtures data you have created:

• In running order, from earliest to latest
• In alphabetical order by home team name, then away team name

1. The players table is currently accepting new entries with no date of birth. Unfortunately, the club insurance policy requires them to have this information, otherwise the players are not covered for any injuries sustained during a match.

How might the structure of the players table be changed to prevent entries with no date of birth?

1. The front-end developers want to include a search function that lists players by searching for a club name. The search needs to support partial matches. This has not yet been developed. Suggest an SQL statement that could be used to make this work.
2. The fixtures table is currently quite inefficient and prone to errors, altering a record to change the name of the tournament is causing problems. Suggest why this might be the case and provide a solution.

(1500 words)

Suggested software for creating diagrams:

Diagrams.net (Free)

https://app.diagrams.net/

Lucidchart (3 diagrams free)

https://www.lucidchart.com/

Sample sports database available at:

[TBC]

As technology and platforms may change, your module tutor will provide you with up-to-date details.

Formative Feedback

You have the opportunity to submit a draft report to receive formative feedback.

The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner.

If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor, no later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning student, your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details.

Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date specified by your tutor - if a blended learning student.

Referencing Guidance

You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system(s).

Follow this link to find the referencing guides for your subject: Arden Library

Submission Guidance

Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.

Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Submitting an Assignment - Guide” document available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.

You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.)Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered - all)

Level 4 is the first stage on the student journey into undergraduate study. At Level 4 students will be developing their knowledge and understanding of the discipline and will be expected to demonstrate some of those skills and competences. Student are expected to express their ideas clearly and to structure and develop academic arguments in their work. Students will begin to apply the theory which underpins the subject and will start to explore how this relates to other areas of their learning and any ethical considerations as appropriate. Students will begin to develop self-awareness of their own academic and professional development.