Sequence 16 — Databases & Big Data

Relational databases, SQL querying/joins/aggregation, relational modelling, transactions and integrity, Big Data characteristics and challenges. AQA 4.10 & 4.11.

Introduction to Relational Databases

Explain what a relational database is and why organisations use one
Identify primary keys, foreign keys and relationships in a given schema

Querying and Filtering Data with SQL

Write SQL SELECT queries with WHERE, ORDER BY and DISTINCT
Predict the result of a given SQL query before running it

Joins, Grouping and Aggregation

Construct SQL queries that join two or more tables
Use GROUP BY with aggregate functions to summarise data

Relational Modelling and Complex Joins

Explain why a many-to-many relationship requires a junction table
Construct queries joining three or more tables, including a junction table

Transactions and Data Integrity

Explain what a transaction is and why the ACID properties matter
Explain concurrency problems that can arise without proper transaction handling

Introduction to Big Data

Explain the characteristics of Big Data using the four Vs
Explain why traditional relational databases become unsuitable at sufficiently large scale

Big Data Applications and Challenges

Evaluate genuine opportunities Big Data creates for organisations
Evaluate ethical issues associated with large-scale data collection and use

Integrated Database Project: SQL and Big Data

Analyse a realistic business problem to determine what data and queries are needed
Construct and justify SQL queries that solve a genuine business problem