Blog - DB Project - Fall 2022

During the Fall semester of 2022, the LSC 394 class had the opportunity to learn about databases. Typically, in my experience, it is not uncommon that when one learns about something initially, in many cases this starts out as talking about the topic for a little while but never actually doing the thing until much later. In the case of LSC 394, the class had the chance to have hands on experiences working with databases in a short amount of time, which subsequently provided the opportunity to experience the differences between traditional Excel spreadsheets and relational databases created using SQL. 

To begin the semester, we practiced some more advanced techniques using Excel. In particular, using hurricane data we constructed a spreadsheet and did some basic analysis using built in commands. Some of the commands used were: if, vlookup, and countif statements. However, despite these clearly presenting useful procedures for obtaining information from the data used, it later became clear that the efficiency for doing such procedures was not on par with the capabilities of relational databases.

Later in the semester we were introduced to relational databases. This introduction consisted of a demonstration showing us the aforementioned capabilities of relational databases in comparison to Excel.  Particularly, the complex procedures demonstrated showed us the ability that relational databases had for relating many tables containing (possibly large amounts of) data. These concepts do not seem to be as easily performed when using Excel, which is one aspect that makes relational databases appear superior over the standard spreadsheet. 

Following the demonstration mentioned previously, the class was tasked with obtaining data to then construct a theoretical representation of a database using this data. Myself and one other student chose to work on a dataset which consisted of digitized book data. This dataset included many interesting characteristics of books such as varying statistics/metrics, and several other properties used for classifying books ranging from hundreds of years old to only a few years old. Upon completion of this conceptual overview of our database, we then constructed a database based on the conceptual design. To conclude the project, we then constructed queries which involved relating several of the tables together, and thus applying some of the procedures demonstrated previously. 

The overall experience working on the project in LSC 394 this semester was very enlightening, to say the least. I realize now that we have had the opportunity to be introduced to relational databases, there is a substantial amount power correlated to using relational databases for more easily solving problems involving data; particularly, large amounts of data that otherwise would be difficult to handle in Excel. Although, it should be mentioned that I was well aware of the existence of relational databases prior to attending LSC 394, but I did not have a fully clear understanding of why relational databases are so popular. Having taken this class, I now realize further that I would like to pursue a more in-depth understanding of databases, as I see how useful they are. Especially now, considering the vast amounts of data that appears to be increasingly prevalent.