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Databases

Learn relational design, SQL, normalization, and indexing, so the applications you build stay fast and correct as their data grows.

  • 14 modules
  • 14 lessons
  • Shallows to Landfall
  • Video + reading

This course is being written. The outline below is what it will teach; follow the Telegram channel to hear the day it opens.

Get notified on Telegram

What you'll be able to do

  • Design sound entity-relationship (ER) models and normalize schemas to 3NF/BCNF
  • Write complex analytical SQL queries with joins, window functions, and subqueries
  • Ensure transaction safety and data integrity with ACID principles
  • Optimize query performance with indexes, execution plans, and query tuning

The full syllabus

14 modules, from the Shallows down. Open any module to see its lessons.

The Shallows

Database fundamentals, the relational model, and introductory SQL queries.

  1. 1Why databases?Limitations of spreadsheets and flat files versus relational database systems.
    1. 1.1From spreadsheets to databasesSoon
  2. 2The relational modelTables, columns, rows, primary keys, and foreign key relationships.
    1. 2.1Tables, keys, and relationsSoon
  3. 3SQL basicsSELECT, FROM, WHERE filtering, and ORDER BY sorting.
    1. 3.1Querying with SELECTSoon

Currents

ER modeling, normalization up to BCNF, joins, and aggregates.

  1. 4Entity-relationship modelingEntities, attributes, relationships, cardinalities, and ER diagrams.
    1. 4.1Drawing ER diagramsSoon
  2. 5Database normalizationEliminating update anomalies from First Normal Form (1NF) through BCNF.
    1. 5.1Normalizing to 3NF and BCNFSoon
  3. 6SQL joinsINNER JOIN, LEFT/RIGHT OUTER JOIN, and cross joins.
    1. 6.1Combining data across tablesSoon
  4. 7Aggregation and groupingCOUNT, SUM, AVG, GROUP BY, and HAVING filtering.
    1. 7.1Summarizing data with GROUP BYSoon
  5. 8Subqueries and viewsNested queries, Common Table Expressions (CTEs), and persistent views.
    1. 8.1CTEs and database viewsSoon

Deep Water

ACID transactions, indexing, query execution plans, triggers, and NoSQL.

  1. 9Transactions and ACIDAtomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability under high concurrency.
    1. 9.1Managing transactionsSoon
  2. 10Indexes and query performanceB-Trees, composite indexes, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, and query optimization.
    1. 10.1Tuning queries with indexesSoon
  3. 11Constraints, triggers, and stored proceduresEnforcing business invariants directly in database engines.
    1. 11.1Automating logic with triggersSoon
  4. 12NoSQL in contextDocument stores, key-value stores, and when to pick relational vs NoSQL.
    1. 12.1Comparing relational and NoSQLSoon

Landfall

Connecting Python to databases and delivering the database Capstone.

  1. 13Databases from PythonConnecting Python applications to SQLite and PostgreSQL via connection pools.
    1. 13.1Executing SQL from PythonSoon
  2. 14Capstone: Production database designDesign, normalize, implement, and benchmark a complete database system.
    1. 14.1Building the capstone databaseProjectSoon

Who it's for

  • Information Systems and Computer Science students building backend applications
  • Developers who want to design and tune relational databases properly
  • Data analysts looking to write advanced SQL with confidence

What you need

  • Basic computer literacy; no prior database or programming experience required
  • A computer capable of running PostgreSQL or SQLite

Databases is coming

Enrollment opens when the first modules are ready. The channel announces it first.

Get notified on Telegram

What it will include

  • Video lectures covering theoretical concepts and practical schema design
  • Interactive SQL exercises with downloadable database datasets
  • Private Telegram community with direct access to the instructor