Contents

Software and Readings

Resources for learning

Textbook

Textbook is optional

Many students prefer to have a textbook to rely on and integrate the classroom learning;  others prefer to do their own research on the Internet or using an AI assistant. All approaches are valid.  If you prefer having a reference book, I recommend purchasing:

Database Systems: Introduction to Databases and Data Warehouses, Edition 2.0 by N. Jukic et al.

Note that we won’t cover every topic in the textbook, and we won’t cover all topics in the same way.

Online reference materials

If you prefer learning SQL by working with interactive materials:

  • The W3 school has an excellent interactive SQL lab
  • Microsoft publishes the reference for Transact SQL (T-SQL), the version of SQL we use in this course. It is WAY more technical, but it is the ultimate source.

Software

We plan to use several commercial-grade tools: Azure Data Studio, MS SQL Server, Power BI, Excel, MySQLWorkbench, and Draw.IO. You will be told in class when and how to access these resources. The AI tools policies are covered here.

All software required for COMM3220 is installed in the McIntire lab computers and is maintained by our HelpDesk. Please inform them of any malfunction, should any occur.

Windows is the most commonly used operating system in business desktops and laptops, and for this reason we will use it as the standard in this course.  If you are MacOS user, take this course as an opportunity to learn a different operating system: a valuable skill to acquire.  Some of the required tools can also be installed on your own Mac or Windows PC. We will talk about that in class.

MS Teams

To create a community of learners and keep in touch with each other we use Microsoft Teams. Early in the course you will receive an email with instructions on connecting. Teams is the fastest way to ask questions about the course, assignments, and technologies. Answer a colleague's question first and you will receive extra participation credit. We call these rewards for helping others "Bug Bounties".