Introduction to Database Development

Understanding how information is stored on computers is fundamental in today's digital world. This course dives deep into database management, exploring how applications like web applications and reporting systems rely on efficient data storage.

Specifically, we'll focus on the critical need to securely store, manage, and back up user information, including sensitive details like login credentials, user privileges, and resource access. Often, data duplication is a problem. The solution? A database!

This course provides a comprehensive look at relational databases, also known as rational databases. We'll explore the concept of normalization – structuring data to eliminate redundancy – and how it leads to efficient and organized data storage.

You'll gain hands-on experience with three popular database systems:

• MS Access: We'll build a real database from scratch in MS Access.
• MySQL: We'll then replicate the database structure in MySQL, a widely used open-source database.
• MS SQL Server: Finally, we'll learn to implement the database in MS SQL Server, a robust enterprise-level solution.

Beyond database creation, you'll learn to:

• Design and build forms and reports within MS Access.
• Understand how web applications utilize databases for data storage and retrieval.
• Locate and effectively use relevant database documentation.
• Explore real-world examples of development and production databases.
• Discover best practices for securely storing passwords in different systems.

By the end of this course, you'll have a solid foundation in database principles and practical skills to manage and utilize data effectively.