This course will address the advanced issues in modern database systems and applications. Databases underlie most complex computing systems. Major upcoming applications include scientific computing and enterprise integration. The present course will focus on the data-related issues in building, analyzing, and maintaining complex software systems. It will highlight the common concepts behind the different applications.
Increasingly, software systems that involve databases are heterogeneous. Traditionally, such systems are made to function in an unprincipled manner. This is because the simple approaches designed for small, centralized, homogeneous databases are ineffective and inappropriate for dealing with large, distributed, heterogeneous environments. Programmers often handcraft solutions, which distract them from their main objectives in scientific and business problem-solving and decision-support. However, the past few years have seen significant advances in techniques for operating and maintaining heterogeneous database systems. Consequently, expectations are rising in industry.
This course will introduce several of the recent techniques that address complementary aspects of heterogeneity. It seeks to prepare students in the concepts that are important for leading-edge database management in industry, and for research into these problems. Highlights include agent programming, distributed objects, and workflow management using de jure or de facto standards such as Java, KQML, CORBA, and the WfMC (workflow management coalition) framework. KQML is an agent communication language; CORBA is a proposal of the Object Management Group (OMG), which includes about 500 software companies; WfMC is a subset of OMG. I am trying to obtain academic licenses for some upcoming products. The course will also examine and use software being developed by my research students.
The course has a prerequisite of CSC 542 or equivalent. Besides that requirement, it is totally self-contained. The grading scheme for the course will be flexible to accommodate both theoretically and practically inclined students, although everyone will learn the core theory and practice.
This is a list of topics that will be included in this course.
For presentations, students will form teams of 2 members. Each team will lead a class discussion on 2-4 related research papers. All students must read the assigned paper and will be graded on their participation. The discussion leaders will
Remember that there is often a lot of detail in the papers, but you must summarize the essence and give your commentary in one class period.
Make about 20-30 transparencies for each class period (depends on how much is on each transparency). Bring copies for everyone.
The papers to be covered from the books by Bukhres & Elmagarmid, and Kim are listed under readings. I don't expect to cover all of Siegel's book either. I believe that even the parts we don't cover from these books will come in handy to you in your database studies. Please exercise your discretion in buying these books.