From Scrubs to Scripts: My Leap into Coding

  Learning Journal Week 4 This week is half way through the course.  Briefly summarize 5 things what you have learned in the course so far.   List at least 3 questions you still have about databases. Database Normalization I’ve learned how to structure databases efficiently using normalization techniques to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. Writing SQL Queries I can now write a variety of SQL queries sing statements like SELECT , JOIN , GROUP BY , and more. Understanding ER Diagrams I can design Entity-Relationship diagrams and use them to model  relationships. Data Integrity with Constraints I’ve learned how to use rules in the database using constraints like PRIMARY KEY , FOREIGN KEY , UNIQUE , and NOT NULL . Views and Indexes I can use views to simplify data access. Questions How do databases make sure data stays safe and consistent if an error corrupts the data? What are the differences between SQL and other database languages, a...

  What is an SQL view.  How is it similar to a table? In what ways is it different (think about primary keys,  insert, update, delete operations) ? Views in SQL are very similar to tables, but a bit more flexible. A normal query is a command that needs to be ran every time, whereas a view can be stored and reused over and over again. Views are virtual tables that can show data similar to a table without the constraints of primary and foreign keys. A table requires primary and foreign keys to maintain relational integrity.  Since tables store data directly, rows can be inserted, updated, and deleted. Since views are just structured,reusable queries, the data cannot be meddled with and adds a layer of security to a database.  We have completed our study of SQL for this course.  This is not to imply that we have studied everything in the language.  There are many specialized features such as calculating rolling averages, query of spatial data (data ...

  Learning Journal Week 2 Here is my example with two tables: pokemon_cards and pokemon_inventory . The pokemon_cards table contains records of each Pokémon card, including the card's name and rarity. The pokemon_inventory table has details about the cards, such as their original purchase price. In this case we would like to find out all Pokémon cards in the inventory that have a rarity greater than "Rare" and were purchased at a price higher than  $50.  English : Find all Pokémon cards with a rarity greater than "Rare" that were purchased for more than $50. SQL SELECT pc.card_id, pc.card_name, pc.rarity, pi.purchase_price FROM pokemon_cards pc JOIN pokemon_inventory pi ON pc.card_id = pi.card_id WHERE pc.rarity > 'Rare' AND pi.purchase_price > 50 ;

  Learning Journal Week 1 Relational database tables and spreadsheets both have rows and columns, but databases ensure data integrity through constraints, relationships, and normalization, which spreadsheets don't support. Databases handle large datasets more efficiently, allow multiple users to interact with the data simultaneously, and offer powerful querying capabilities, unlike spreadsheets that can become cumbersome as data grows. Learning to install and configure a database is a valuable investment because it helps manage large datasets, ensures data integrity, secures information, and supports automation. Databases are essential in most industries, offering real-world applications that save time and reduce errors. In this course, I want to learn advanced SQL queries, database design, performance optimization, and database administration. These skills will be crucial for my future career, especially if I work in software development or data analysis.