Week 17/18: CST 363 Module 1

This is the eighteenth week of the CSUMB computer science program.

Differences Between Relational Databases and Spreadsheets:

Relational database tables are structured collections of data that are organized into rows and columns, which makes each row represented by unique records, while having columns represented by specific attributes of that record. On the other hand, a spreadsheet is a digital ledger storing data in a tabular format; however, they are designed for manual data entry rather than complex data relationships. Therefore, their differences are as follows:

• Data Relationships: Databases use tables that can be linked through foreign keys, while spreadsheets lack relational capabilities.
• Scalability: Databases handle large datasets, while spreadsheets slow down with large amounts of data.
• Concurrency: Databases allow multiple users to access and update the database simultaneously, while spreadsheets may or may not support concurrent access.
• Data Integrity and Validation: Databases enforce constraints to maintain data integrity, while spreadsheets rely on manual validation.

What are some important reasons that make a database a useful investment of time:

Databases can either be simple or complex depending on the installation or configuration; however, databases offer users tools and utility unlike anything else, which makes it worth the effort required to install and configure the database. Therefore, the reasons for why it is worth it are listed below:

•  Efficiency: SQL allows quick searches, filters, and updates.
• Security and Access Control: Databases require permissions, encryption, and user roles as to protect user data.
• Automation and Integration: Databases can be easily integrated into applications, which can automat reports and business workflows.
• Data Consistency and Accuracy: Databases have constraints that prevent duplicated or incorrect entries, which ensures reliable records.

What would I want to learn from this course for my future career:

Before this course, I have never touched anything dealing with SQL or databases, thus everything within this course has been eye opening. Therefore, I would like to learn how to design, manage, and optimize databases for applications, considering that the databases are capable of being integrated into applications. Basically, my future career will deal with software engineering mixing frontend, backend, and UI, which will require an extensive understanding of what tools are available to me, while also understanding their utility. In the end, I would like to understand how to integrate SQL with applications for my future career in software engineering.