CSc 8711. Databases and the Web
Summer 2000, TTh. 1.50 to 4.35 PM, 310-CS
Computer Number: 2623

Catalog Description: Application of database technology to access information on the World Wide Web. Topics include: Common Gateway Interface (CGI), HTML form processing, accessing databases from the Web, search engines, query languages for Web data, semi-structured data model, and XML.

Course Overview: This course has two main objectives: (1) to introduce the student to the techniques and methods available to access databases from the Web and (2) to introduce the student to current research issues in applying database technology to Web related areas such as semi-structured databases, digital library, etc. Accessing databases using the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and using specialized application server technology will be covered. Research issues such as efficient searching and browsing the Web, querying Web data, digital library, semi-structured databases, XML standard, etc. will also be covered. The student will work on several programming projects which illustrate the various concepts and techniques to access databases on the Web. The student will also review selected current articles in this field and present their reviews in the class.

Textbooks
  1. Data on the Web: From Relations to Semistructured Data and XML, by Serge Abiteboul, Peter Buneman, and Dan Suciu, Morgan-Kaufmann Publishers, 2000.
  2. Oracle8 Programming -- A Primer by R. Sunderraman, Addison Wesley, 2000.
Reference Books
  1. Oracle Web Application Server Handbook (Oracle Series), by Barry Johnson, Oracle Press 1998.
  2. The Developer's Guide to Oracle Web Application Server 3 by Dennis Harvey and Steve Beitler, Addison-Wesley, 1998
Grading Policy: The grading will be based on the following components:
  1. Programming Projects (60%) (Late penalty of 20\% will be strictly enforced on each assignment).
  2. Take Home Exam (20%)
  3. Research Paper (20%)