Database Fundamentals: SQL & NoSQL Concepts

Understand the backbone of almost every application: databases. This module covers the core concepts of both relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) databases, equipping you with the knowledge to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently, and to choose the right database for your projects.

1. Relational Databases & SQL

Dive into the world of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). Learn about tables, columns, rows, primary and foreign keys, and how to use Structured Query Language (SQL) to perform essential operations like selecting, inserting, updating, and deleting data.

-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE products (
    product_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    product_name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
    price DECIMAL(10, 2),
    category VARCHAR(100)
);

-- Insert data
INSERT INTO products (product_id, product_name, price, category)
VALUES (1, 'Laptop', 1200.00, 'Electronics');

-- Select data
SELECT product_name, price FROM products WHERE category = 'Electronics';

-- Update data
UPDATE products SET price = 1150.00 WHERE product_id = 1;
            

2. Database Design & Normalization

Learn the principles of effective database design. This section covers Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams to model your data, and the concept of normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity, leading to more efficient and reliable databases.

3. Introduction to NoSQL Databases

Explore the world beyond relational databases with NoSQL. Understand different NoSQL categories like document (e.g., MongoDB), key-value (e.g., Redis), columnar, and graph databases. Learn their advantages, use cases, and when to consider them over traditional SQL databases.

4. Choosing the Right Database

With various database options available, making the right choice is crucial. This section guides you through the factors to consider when selecting between SQL and NoSQL databases, based on your application's specific requirements for scalability, data structure, and consistency.

Module Summary

You've built a strong foundation in database fundamentals, understanding both the structured world of SQL and the flexible realm of NoSQL. From designing efficient schemas to querying data and making informed choices, you're now equipped to handle data storage for a variety of applications.

Next Steps & Related Modules

To integrate your database skills, consider our backend development modules (Node.js/Express) or a deeper dive into specific database technologies like MongoDB or PostgreSQL.