COMETT DATABASE ADMINISTRATION

                      COMETT
              Database Administration
            Problems, Concepts, Issues

COMETT is a collaborative programme organized by the Commission of the European Community. It is concerned with further education in technology through cooperative ventures between industry and universities. The goal of the programme is to produce highly qualified personnel in order to improve the competitiveness of European industry. The further education series "Database Administration" forms part of the COMETT-Project EXDACO of the UETP-Ruhr. The leading organizer of the seminars is the Laboratory for Databases, which is integrated in the Department of Practical Computer Science I of the University of Hagen (FernUniversitaet). Coordinator of the English session is the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The lecturers of the seminars come from consultancies, the University and the application area.

Content and Goals:

The Database Management System (DBMS) - as the central kernel of complex application systems - determines the efficiency of the whole system. The management of this critical part of the system has to be done by the database administrator (DBA). The database administrator is faced with the following tasks:

-application oriented data modelling
-security of data
-access control
-system performance
-archiving of data
-integration of old data and systems

In the past, sets of data grew in isolation from each other. An integrated view of all data of an enterprise was often missing. The introduction of database technonolgy in some areas has led to data from different disciplines being integrated. For example data relating to 'orders' may be held in an 'orders database', while the data relating to the 'manufacturing process' may be held in a different database. The two databases contain common information and so to make full use of the data, connections between the two must be set up and maintained.
These problems lead to the requirement of an organisation-wide data model and an experienced database system support team.
Frequently, the task of a database administrator has been taken over by an application programmer who in course of time became a specialist for his/her specific database management system. But the scenario described above requires the administartor to perform tasks which are beyond the management of a single database management system:

-The involvement of the DBA in the data modelling
 process requires knowledge about Structured  Analysis (SA) and the Entity Relationship  Approach (ER).
-Dealing with different database categories, e.g.
 to migrate from the world of hierarchical data  (e.g. IMS) to relational database management  systems (e.g. DB2).
-Assessment of modern database concepts, e.g.
 object-oriented databases
-Use of CASE-tools during design and operation of
 databases
-Observing of standards, e.g. the ISO/IEC SQL
 standard
-Comparison of different database management
 systems and tools for developing applications  (e.g. 4GL-tools)
-Assessment of distributed database systems.

The seminars focus on imparting knowledge on database management in a broad and vendor independent fashion.
Participation will be certified by the University of Hagen.

Seminars, Dates
and Lecturers

2/9/93-3/9/93
Relational Databases: State of the Art and Perspectives of Future Developments
 Dr. Wolfgang Wilkes

    (University of Hagen [FernUniversitaet])  Stefan Schilling

    (icons GmbH)

4/10/93-5/10/93
Object-Oriented Database Systems: A Rational Investigation
 Prof. Dr. Gunter Schlageter

    (University of Hagen [FernUniversitaet])  Juergen Feldkamp

    (University of Hagen [FernUniversitaet])

20/10/93-22/10/93
Database Security: Technical and Legal Aspects  Thomas Berkel

    (University of Hagen [FernUniversitaet])  Josef Lang

    (debis AG)
 Britta Cramer

    (Institut fuer Informationstechnologie     und Bildung GmbH)

4/11/93-5/11/93
How to Use CASE for Data Base Design: Methods and Tools
 Dieter Pfleiderer

    (Hessische Zentrale fuer Datenverarbeitung)

8/11/93-9/11/93
Organisation of the Reengineering Processes  Klaus Hoffmeister

    (Deutsche Lufhansa AG)

15/11/93-16/11/93
Distributed Database Systems: Concepts and Implementation Aspects
 Prof. Dr. Peter Dadam

    (University of Ulm)

17/11/93-18/11/93
Database and Presentation Layers
 Friedrich Tontsch

    (upto GmbH)

25/11/93-26/11/93
Corporate - Wide Data Management: Objectives and Tasks from the View of the Practitioner  Dr. Andreas Meier

    (CSS Versicherung)

6/12/93-9/12/93
Database Design: From Structured Analysis to 4GL-Applications?
 Dr. Wolfgang Wilkes

    (University of Hagen [FernUniversitaet])  Stefan Schilling

    (icons GmbH)
 Norbert Schulte-Bausenhagen

    (icons GmbH)
 Konrad Reichenbaecher

    (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)

13/12/-14/12/93
From Mainframes to UNIX-Networks
 Dieter Wendel

    (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)

Seminar I: 2/9/93-3/9/93
Relational Databases: State of the Art and Perspectives of Future Developments

Objective:

Relational database systems have become increasing popular and are in process of replacing the former paradigms of hierarchical and network-oriented databases.
After its introduction into the market some 8 or 10 years ago, various products, e.g. DB2, ORACLE, INGRES and SYBASE have converged with respect to the features which they provide. This has been supported by strong standardization activities. The goal of the two day seminar is to give an overview on the current state-of-the-art relational database technology. In particular, new concepts in the areas of integrity control and programming of the database kernel will be introduced and compared with each other (e.g. stored procedures, triggers, constraints).
In addition to the overview of available systems the participant will get a view of future development trends.

Contents:

Tasks and basic concepts of database systems
-Comparison of the relational, the hierarchical,
 and the network-oriented data models
-Illustration of the different models by means of
 a example
-Trends in development (object-orientation,
 distribution, etc.)

Overview of the market
-Criteria and aspects for a comparison
-Evaluation of various systems with respect to
 these criteria and aspects

Impacts of new concepts to the tasks of the database administrator
-Description of referential integrity
-Possibilities to program the database kernel
-Definition of access control systems

• Distribution

Lecturers:

Stephan Schilling is managing director of icons gmbh a consultancy specializing in new generations of database management systems for relational but also object-oriented systems. In addition to his role as manging director he mainly focuses on consultancy and realization of quality assurance.

Dr. Wolfgang Wilkes works at the University of Hagen at the Department of Practical Computer Science I. He leads a research group examining the areas of data management, data modelling, and design management in CAD databases and design environments. Previously he was involved in various other projects, including projects on the application of advanced relational database systems and object-oriented database systems.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar II: 4/10/93-5/10/93
Object-Oriented Database Systems: A Rational Investigation

Objective:

The seminar introduces the new generation of database systems, the object-oriented databases. In the first part of the seminar the participant is given an overview of concepts and functionality of these systems, the differences between objectoriented   and relational database systems, the operational areas as well as an overview concerning trading products and prototypes.
Because the term "object-oriented" is often used even if the basic concepts of an object orientation are not fulfilled, this seminar concentrates on classification and rating connected with practical needs and works out the capabilities and shortcomings. Furthermore attention moves towards the applicability of object-oriented database technology to solve problems arising with appli cations where nowadays databases do not fit. In the second part of the seminar, the focus is switched to the practical usage of object-oriented technology. Based on a concrete object-oriented database system and a general example, the basic concepts are presented on a computer.

Contents:

Concepts and rating
-The database generations
-Motivation for object oriented databases
-Example: design environment
-Basic concepts
-Query languages
-Other features for non-standard applications
-Prototypes and products
-Rating and outlook

Applications in practice
-Basic concepts for the modelling of a practical
 example
-Demonstration of the basic concepts
-Group work, working on a task
-Data modelling OODBMS vs. RDBMS

• Gemstone and Smalltalk-80

Lecturers:

Prof. Dr. Schlageter is Professor of Computer Science at University of Hagen (FernUniversitaet). He is author of more than 70 scientific publications in national and international conference proceedings and journals in the areas of distributed systems, databases, knowledge-based systems, computer-assisted learning and objectoriented   systems. He is a member of a number of different international committees and director of the Institute for Automation, Information and Production Management.

Juergen Feldkamp works as an assistant at the Department of Practical Computer Science I of the University of Hagen (FernUniversitaet). His main working areas include multimedia, hypermedia and database support for computer based training. He has been involved in an EC-project where objectoriented  database technology was used for a complex information system.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar III: 20/10/93-22/10/93
Database Security:Technical and Legal Aspects

Objective:

The major task of a database administrator is to guarantee the correct state of the database. Beside the presentation of the relevant basic mechanisms of a database, the purpose of this course is to uncover the clash between data protection and data security. Data protection meaning technical and organizing measures against misuse of personal data on the one hand, data security meaning measures against unauthorized manipulation, demolition and loss of any data on the other.
The professional background of the speakers reflects these different views. The technical aspect will be discussed by a university scientist. Data security will be presented by a lecturer employed with electronic data processing auditing in a software company. The speaker lecturing on the topic of data protection is a consultant on 'New Technolgies'.
The major objective of this course - starting from the different approaches and problems - is to understand the interaction of the particular technical and organizing concepts, and to give practical hints on checking the integrity of a database.

Content:

Basic mechanisms of database technology
-Data modelling: Database, table, view
-Data dictionary: How to work with the dictionary
 of a DBS ?
-Access authority: Which things (operations) can
 who (user) make with what (objects)?
-Record keeping: Who did what with which objects?
-Interfaces: Query languages and evaluation
 possibilities

Data security
-Definition
-Tasks and functions of the electronic data
 processing auditing in connection with data  security
 Necessary measures to ensure data security  Concepts for the management of user and access  rights
-Backup and recovery

Data protection
-Between data protection and data security
-A case study on the misuse of personal data
-Technical and organizing measures to the personal
 data
-Basic laws and legal position on data protection

Lecturers:

Thomas Berkel is the leader of the Laboratory for Databases at the Department of Practical Computer Science I of the University of Hagen. The main emphasis of his work lies in the area of databases (in particular object-oriented DB) and their use in CAD/CAM. Josef Lang is the leader of EDP-Auditing of the debis AG. Among other things he is responsible for the system checks of the information processing in the debis trust.

For a number of years Britta Cramer has been employed by a trade union's institute which mainly is engaged in the effects of 'New Technologies' on the human resources in the labour process.

Fee: (pound sterling) 600

Seminar IV: 4/11/93-5/11/93
How to use CASE for Data Base Design: Methods and Tools

Objective:

This seminar presents CASE as it is (or should be) essentially seen: methods implemented on computer to help software-engineers increase the quality and productivity of their work.
Participants get to know methods of data modelling. They will see in which way the most popular CASE tools help in working with these methods and in which way they do not. The course will help you to assess the CASE tools from the point of view of methods and practical experience. When looking at the most important CASE products the aspect of integrating different methods is especially important. Data models have to be transformed yet stay consistent through different phases of the software development process - from analysis to physical data base design. Different layers for data, process and state transition models have to manage integration.
There will be a short preview of the actual state of object-oriented methods for analysis and design and supporting CASE tools.

Contents:

Phases of data base design
Activities and results of analysis, conceptual, logical and physical design will be presented. The integrated way of modelling data and process models will be discussed - as especially in early project phases tools often promise to be a solution for this integration.

CASE tools: implemented methods
-overview on typical CASE structures
-graphical and editing modules of CASE
-implementing and testing methods
-transformation and integration of the results

CASE - data modelling modules
The most important aspects will be demonstrated using important tools:
-ORACLE-CASE
-IEW/ADW
-MAESTRO II/SETEC
The problems of integrating methods implemented by different tools will be discussed using the example of MAESTRO II open system and its different front end systems (ORACLE, PREDICT/ADABAS, UNIFACE). A short survey of further important tools (Excelerator, LBMS-Systems-Engineer, IEF, Teamwork, Bachmann) will be given.

Preview of object-oriented methods and tools The following tools will be presented:
-PTECH (implementing the James Martin approach)
-ObjectIF (implementing the OOA of Coad and
 Yourdan)

Lecturer:

Dieter Pfleiderer is a graduate economist. He worked as software-engineer, manager of the application development of a credit institute and as project manager for a consultant company. Dieter Pfleiderer is now responsible for methods and tools in the software engineering department of the HZD (Central Information Technology for Hessen).

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar V: 8/11/93-9/11/93
Organization of the Reengineering Process

Objective:

As hardware- and software-technologies are developed further, applications become more and more outdated. Distributed processing, relational databases, 4th Generation Languages, repositories and CASE often are not compatible with existing applications. Nevertheless old applications have to be maintained, because redevelopment is often too expensive and the essential know-how is only in the old programs. A solution is a reengineering of the existing applications.
The aim of this seminar is to present current maintenance issues and to give an overview of different reengineering methods and strategies. In conclusion, some case studies will be presented and discussed with the participants.

Contents:

Background of the maintenance problems
The factors leading to consideration of reengineering will be presented:
-Problem factor personnel
-Problem factor maintenance organization
-Problem factor maintenance environment
-Problem factor software product

Reengineering techniques
The different reengineering methods will be presented using practical examples:
-Reformatting
-Restructuring
-Reverse Engineering
-Recycling
-Reuse
-Migration

Reengineering strategies
Reengineering is not an isolated technology. It has to be integrated into an overall technology concept. Therefore, a comprehensive reengineering strategy is necessary:
-Preparation for reengineering
-short-term reengineering strategies
-middle-term reengineering strategies
-long-term reengineering strategies

Case studies

Lecturer:

Klaus Hoffmeister is an expert in reengineering and maintenance at the Gross & Hottner GmbH. He gained his professional experience mainly as a consultant for different reengineering projects, especially for applications running on UNISYS-mainframes.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar VI: 15/11/93-16/11/93
Distributed Database Systems:Concepts and Implementation Aspects

Objective:

Local and global interconnections of computers via computer networks as well as migration from centralised to decentralised processing of data on PCs and workstations has increased significantly during the last few years.
Decentralised storage and processing of logically related data leads to increased consistency and security problems as well as to increased data (location) dependency of application programs. These problems did not occur - at least not in this intensity - with centralised data processing. Distributed database systems are an important technique to solve these problems.
In recent years an increasing number of database systems have appeared on the market claiming to support "distributed" databases. The aim of the seminar is to give a survey on the concepts of distributed processing of data in computer networks, especially on the different aspects and underlying technology for distributed database systems. After this seminar, the participants should be able to assess the demands of their (distributed) applications with respect to the necessary database technology or network technology, respectively. Based on this knowledge they should be able to pose the "right questions" for the selection and usage of a respective database system.

Contents:

Introduction and overview
Which problems are to be solved? Which problems can occur in the context of "downsizing", for example? How are distributed database systems and database systems for multi-processor systems related?

Aspects and realisations of distributed information systems
Presentation and discussion of different types of distributed information systems and distributed database systems (DBSs).
- Distributed file systems, remote program
requests,
 DB/DC-systems etc.
-Local and wide-area distributed databases
-Homogeneous/heterogeneous distributed DBSs
-Integrated and federated distributed DBSs

Aspects of computer networks
The seminar will provide a short introduction into computer networks and network-services, DBSrelevant   aspects of computer networks and the effects of new technological developments in this area.

Integrated homogeneous DBSs
Realisations of distributed DBSs based on homogeneous component-DBSs.
-Schema-architecture of distributed DBSs (starting
 from scratch versus integration of existing  systems)
-Distributed logical and physical storage of
 relations
-Query processing (query decomposition, aspects of
 query optimisation, etc.)
-Synchronisation of global transactions (e.g.
 treatment of global deadlocks)
-Ensuring consistency for redundant data
-Error situations, recovery

Integrated heterogeneous DBSs

Federated distributed DBSs

Prototypes and products

Summary and outlook

Lecturer:

Prof. Dr. Peter Dadam is Professor of Computer Science and head of the Department of Databases and Information Systems in the Faculty for Informatics at the University of Ulm. From 1982 to 1985 he was a research staff member at the IBM Scientific Centre in Heidelberg and from 1985 until 1990 he was manager of the Department "Advanced Information Management (AIM)" there. He is author or co-author of numerous scientific publications in national and international journals and conferences and is also author of the lecture series on "Distributed Databases" at the University of Hagen.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar VII: 17/11/93-18/11/93
Database and Presentation Layers

Objective:

Databases are an integral part of application environments. Within these environments the computer programs are the most important "users". This seminar will focus on the architectural means by which application programs should deal with presentation, semantics and manipulation of data. Database and presentation systems determine the design of computer programs. Well made programs isolate the characteristics of those external systems to which they have interfaces into specific layers. This results in flexible programs and reusable modules and supports system experts in quality assurance. It is mainly with database interfaces where experts can increase the quality of programs significantly.

Contents:

Communication of application programs with DBMS
-Data manipulation, logon and logoff, declarations
-Algorithms and data structures
-Transactions: basic problems

Characteristics of database layers
-Abstract data types
-Transaction control, exception handling
-Portable programs

User interfaces
-PC-Systems and forms management systems
-Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) and standards for
 their use
-User friendly transaction logic

Program structures
-Programs with page-mode-interfaces
-Communication of application programs with GUI-
 systems
- Database, presentation and application layers

Characteristics of presentation layers
-The presentation of data; real views and pseudo-
 views
-Semantical constraints on data
-User transactions and data base transactions;
 exception handling

Lecturer:

Friederich Tontsch studied Informatics at the Technical University of Berlin. Since 1988 he has worked as a consultant for software engineering and data base systems. He also gives seminars on methods and tools of system development and data base design. Since 1979 he has gathered professional experience in various fields: he was application systems designer, data base administrator and project manager for business as well as for technical applications. He is also coauthor  of Introduction to Software Engineering (in German) and has published several articles on methods and tools.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar VIII: 25/11/93-26/11/93
Corporate - Wide Data Management: Objectives and Tasks from the Viewof the Practitioner

Objective:

From a unique practical perspective, this seminar outlines important issues of data management, i.e. the
management and control of data and information. Besides technical aspects, administrative and organizational questions will be answered. Data and information are resources of an entire organisation. Therefore, top-level management should educate itself about the benefits of database technology and should support data management concepts and communicate them to the rest of the organization. Just as many departments within an organisation play a role in the management and control of money, materials, machines, and personnel, so does the data management participate in the management and control of data.
The analysis of corporate functions and data often results in rethinking the structure of the organisation. A corporate-wide data model along with its main business functions should therefore be discussed between the management and the technical departments.
The protection of data against international access, modification, and destruction is a key function of data management. Data protection and data security standards are needed as well as policies which deal with disaster recovery. Finally, many departments for information systems have to invest a lot of time and money finding reasonable means to migrate from one database management system to another. Unfortunately, database technology change has not yet become an extensive research topic. Nevertheless, a few software companies and some customers with large database installations have started to address this issues. As a result, a few promising migration alternatives already exist, such as transparency feature, source code conversion and data propagation.

Contents:

Data management
-The mission statement for data management
-Organisational placement and structure
-Administrative and technical functions

Data architecture
-Top-level management involvement for data
 architecture
-How to define a corporate-wide data model
-Evaluation and usage of methods and tools

Data administration

• Data ownership and data security
• Data standards and procedures
• Data dictionary management

Database migration
-Protection of investments when changing a
 database system
-Warning for copy and extract management
-Data propagation between heterogeneous databases

Lecturer:

Andreas Meier is responsible for the IS department of the CSS insurance company in Lucerne, Switzerland. He holds a doctorate in Computer Science and is faculty member of the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology in Zurich (ETH). Before joining the insurance company he was the managing director for data management of an international Swiss bank. He is the author of a number of books and several articles about database systems, database migration tools, data management and administration.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

Seminar IX: 6/12/93-9/12/93
Database Design: From Structured Analysis to 4GL- Applications?

Objective:

The question asked in the title is the central theme of this seminar which is divided into four blocks:
-Functional analysis
-Conceptual and logical design
-CASE tool supported transition from the
 conceptual schema via the logical and physical  design to a physical schema
-Use of a Fourth Generation Language

Are the typical concepts of software engineering adequate for a 4GL approach?
Is it possible to introduce CASE tools smoothly in such an environment (development)?
These controversial issues will be introduced and discussed in the form of a workshop. Four presenters from different data processing environments will describe the different steps required for a 4GL development, partly supported by practical demonstrations.

Content:

Functional analysis
-Structural Analysis in concept and application
-E-R-modelling
-Problems in the integration of data and function
 oriented analysis

Conceptual and logical design
-Conceptual modelling and database design
-Basic and advanced elements of the ER modelling
-Normalization and mapping to relations

CASE tool supported transition from the conceptual schema via the logical design to the physical design
-DB2 a a prototypical RDBMS
-physical database design
-quality control
-application of CASE tools

Use of Fourth Generation Languages
-Introduction to 4GL systems
-Binding into the development process
-Problems in implementing 4GL applications

Lecturers:

Stephan Schilling is managing director of icons gmbh a consultancy specializing in new generations of database management systems for relational but also object-oriented systems. In addition to his role as Manging Director he mainly focuses on consultancy and realization of quality assurance.

Dr. Wolfgang Wilkes works at the University of Hagen at the Department of Practical Computer Science I. He leads a research group examining the areas of data management, data modelling, and design management in CAD databases and design environments. Previously he was involved in various other projects, including projects on the application of advanced relational database systems and object-oriented database systems.

Konrad Reichenbaecher is an information engineering specialist in the Data and Database Management department at Lufthansa German Airlines. He has many years experience with relational database systems (in particular with DB2). He is now the product manager for database design tools at Lufthansa.

Norbert Schulte-Bausenhagen is managing director of icons gmbh a consultancy specializing in new generations of database management systems for relational but also object-oriented systems. He is engaged in planning and enforcement of development projects by 4GL-tools.

Fee: (pound sterling) 800

Seminar X: 13/12/93-14/12/93
From Mainframes to UNIX-Networks

Objective:

Open systems offer a number of potential advantages. The technological attractiveness and the improved cost/performance relationship of these systems open up new options for database strategies within companies and organizations. The trend to LAN's and client/server-computing is a consequence of increased flexibility, performance and scaleability.
The seminar gives a general idea of the impact that technological developments have had on UNIX platforms and in the network area on database technology. Current trends with terms such as downsizing, heterogeneous networks, client/servercomputing   will be considered with the focus on system- database- and network-management.

Contents:

Open systems: The state of technology and trends

Performance of the newest processor- and system generation; international standards and OSF technology; heterogeneous networks/protocols: overview of SNA, TCP/IP and OSI; the Distributed Computing Environment of the OSF.

Client/server-principles and attributes of distributed applications

System and network architectures; client/server: models and scenarios; factors for mainframe alternatives; downsizing: outscoring, porting, replacement, development.

Operation and administration of UNIX-networks

System and network requirements; necessary personal resources for the operation of LAN's; network- and system management (availability, data security and fault tolerance, backups, device management and - options, accounting etc.); network components of databases; transaction monitors and networkmanagement  tools.

Lecturer:

Mr. Dieter Wendel works for Lufthansa German Airlines as information technology planner. His main fields are network and system planning, providing technology infrastructure and administration of networks, systems and databases.

Fee: (pound sterling) 450

General terms of participation and organisational information

Fees
Please see the fees for the particular events from the respective seminar descriptions.
Students of FernUniversitaet Hagen are granted a 50% discount on the seminar fees when a valid enrolment certificate is produced.
Academics of any other University are granted a 25% discount on the seminar fees.
The fees include accompanying material and refreshments in the breaks. Expenses for meals and accommodation are not included.

Application
The application must be submitted three weeks before the date of the seminar at the latest. Places are limited, so the order of receipt of applications will be used to allocate places if there are too many participants.
The invoice for the seminar fee and the terms of payment will be sent together with the enrolment confirmation.

Withdrawal
If an application is withdrawn one week or more before the date of the event, a fee of (pound sterling) 50 is payable, if an application is withdrawn within a week of the date of the event, the full seminar fee is payable. A substitute participant may be named.

List of participants
Each participant will receive a list giving the full name and institution/firm of the participants. If a participant does not wish to be listed, please indicate this on the application form.

Cancellation
If we have to cancel an event for unforeseen reasons, the entire fee will be refunded. Further claims are excluded.

Accommodation
A hotel list is available on request. The bookings, however, must be organized by the participants themselves.

Venue

Seminar I and Seminar III-X will be held at Cosener's House
Abingdon
Oxfordshire.

Seminar II will be held at
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Chilton
Nr. Didcot
Oxfordshire.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Contact:

Dr. S. C. Hilton (COMETT Course)
Room G.59, Building R1
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Chilton
Didcot
Oxon
OX11 0QX

Telephone No.: +235 446154
Fax No.: +235 445893
email: sch_at_uk.ac.rl.inf

         sch_at_informatics.rutherford.ac.uk Received on Wed Aug 11 1993 - 11:45:23 CEST