Database Systems

Tabular Database Systems

Lecture  INF3132
Degree  Bachelor
Readers
Torsten Grust • Tim Fischer
Lecture
Mon 10:15–11:45, Lecture Hall N11 (Morgenstelle 3)
Tutorial
Thu 14:15–15:45, Lecture Hall F119 (Sand 6/7)
Exam
TBD

Welcome to TaDa!

In this lecture, we’re diving into the fundamentals of relational database systems—the powerful engines designed to crunch tabular data.

Here is what you can expect to take away from our time together:

  • The Power of Tables: You’ll discover how the seemingly simple “table” model is actually incredibly versatile, letting us represent almost any kind of data while keeping storage and querying blazing fast.
  • Speaking Data: We’ll get hands-on with SQL, teaching you the fundamentals so you can write effective queries and interact directly with your data.
  • Deep Dive into DuckDB: To keep things practical, we’ll be using DuckDB throughout the entire course. You’re not just going to learn its rich SQL dialect; we’ll also pop the hood to look at some of its internals.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently assess the practical advantages—and the real-world limitations—of this system.

📋 Course Topics

  • Relational Databases: Working with tabular data
  • Hands-on DuckDB: Practical application and system internals
  • Data Storage: External formats (CSV, Parquet) vs. internal structures (columnar layouts, compression)
  • Hardware Synergy: Aligning database systems with modern computer architecture
  • SQL Fundamentals: Basics and query formulation
  • Data Modeling: Representing non-tabular data in tables
  • Under the Hood: Query execution and optimization
  • Reliability: Transactions and persistence

📝 Registration Details

You do not need to register for the lecture in advance. Simply join us for the first session, where we will provide all the necessary information regarding the course and enrollment.

💻 Exercises & Discord

We use our Discord Server for all course organization, including official announcements, Q&A, and discussions. Registration and regular attendance on Discord is required for participation in the course.

Note: The specific setup for assignments and exercises this semester is currently being finalized. The information above is preliminary, and we will provide full details during the first lecture.

🎓 SWS, Credits & Audience

  • Format: 2 SWS Lecture + 2 SWS Exercise
  • Credits: 6 ECTS
  • Audience: Open to both Bachelor’s and Master’s students in Computer Science

📚 Recommended Prerequisites

While not strictly required, we recommend a basic familiarity with the following to help you get the most out of the course:

  • Python: Used for modeling program logic and occasionally interacting with DuckDB.
  • C or C++: Helpful for understanding the system’s low-level internals and performance.

✉️ Questions & Contact

If you have further questions, please contact the teaching assistant: Tim Fischer.