Gain insights into fundamental database concepts, relational databases, and entity-relationship diagrams. Learn about normalization techniques and basics of SQL to enhance database efficiency.

Databases are universal - they underlie the technology you use every day. They're a crucial component of everything from telecommunications systems, banking systems, and video games to just about any other software system that maintains some amount of persistent data.

In this course, you'll learn about the fundamental concepts of databases, why and when they're used, what relational databases are, and entity-relationship diagrams. You will also be exposed to techniques like normalization that help to increase the efficiency of databases. You'll wrap up with a look at the basics of Structured Query Language (SQL). 

After completing this course, you will be able to move onto more advanced courses involving database systems and SQL.

Database Design Fundamentals for Software Engineers

# Why use relational data models?

The relational data model was introduced by C.F. Codd in 1970. Currently, it is the most widely used data model.

The relational model has provided the basis for:

- Research on the theory of data/relationship/constraint.
- Numerous database design methodologies.
- The standard database access language called Structured Query Language (SQL).
- Almost all modern commercial database management systems.

The relational data model describes the world as “a collection of inter-related relations (or tables).”

# What is relational model?

The relational model represents the database as a collection of relations. A **relation** is nothing but a table of values. Every row in the table represents a collection of related data values. These rows in the table denote a real-world entity or relationship. The table and column names are helpful to interpret the meaning of values in each row.

Some popular relational database management systems are:

- DB2 and Informix Dynamic Server - IBM
- Oracle and RDB – Oracle
- SQL Server and Access - Microsoft


# Fundamental concepts of the relational data model

Consider a relation STUDENT as shown below:


In this lesson, we will discuss the fundamentals of relational databases.

Introduction

Fundamental Concepts

Data Modeling

Entity-Relationship Data Model

The Relational Data Model

Functional Dependencies

Normalization

Structured Query Language

Conclusion

Relational Model Concepts

Why use relational data models?