Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

It's not only Databases but Machine Learning and AI as well. I'm really looking forward to these Stanford classes and hope to take them successfully while doing my actual studies.<p>Direct links:<p>- Databases: <a href="http://www.db-class.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.db-class.org/</a><p>- Machine Learning: <a href="http://www.ml-class.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ml-class.org/</a><p>- Artificial Intelligence: <a href="http://www.ai-class.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ai-class.com/</a>

This was one of my favorite CS classes I took at Stanford. It will do a great job teaching you the theory behind dbs then bridge that theory with real-world examples. If you want to get an idea about how databases operate behind the scenes AND how they should be properly used, this is a great class for you.<p>The relational algebra sections of the course are intriguing because it forces you to solve problems using a set of constraints that aren't present in other programming languages—really interesting stuff.<p>More information is at the class website <a href="http://infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/cs145/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/cs145/index.html</a>

Can anyone offer some advice in choosing between the three courses?<p>My background: I've only completed CS 1, and read LPTHW and Kochan's Objective-C book. I have about an hour's worth of Khan Academy videos in linear algebra, and have taken a basic prob/stats course. My university offers a database class, but not ML or AI. Based on my minimal knowledge of the subjects, ML/AI sound more interesting than databases.

MemSQL will be hosting office hours during the Winter for the class. If you'd like to attend, send an email to db-class@memsql.com.

Do I have to attend the classes "live"? Or can I catch up according to my schedule, as long as I submit the assignments on time?

The videos are already online if anybody would like to get a head start.<p><a href="http://infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/cs145/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/cs145/index.html</a> (Click on "OpenClassroom Videos")

Now if only they had OS and Compilers :)

anybody know if it's inappropriate to sign up to be able to watch the lectures and check out the homework, but not actually intend to submit all the assignments? it's not clear if the course materials will be accessible without being officially "enrolled". I want to check it out at my own pace but I can't guarantee I'll have the free time each week for the assignments.

Even though I usually scoff at pre-registration signup forms, I was very excited to fill this one in.<p>I'm sure there's a lesson to be learned about my own sampling bias and it might be time to rethink this stance (how ever hard it may be to recognise that people can actually find enjoyment in hearing about product launches and events!)

All of these online Stanford classes seem very cool. I hope that enough people sign up for these that grading and certificates become more popular from all of the highly respected schools.

A quick look through the syllabus shows that the last video is "NoSQL Systems". Nothing specific in the Course Materials though. Maybe an Intro to Databases class should talk a little more about other approaches such as document-oriented databases. I know they (academia) are sticking to classical CS, but maybe some parts of relational databases could be covered in a second class on databases, to make room for more exploration on other DB approaches in an intro class.

I'd love to sign up for both this and the ml class (though, I think I will sign up for the ml class...).<p>However, I've already committed to the AI class, and in addition to my regular coursework (Entering second year of uni, go me!), I don't think I'll be able to handle this.

I wonder how the assignments will work? Will they all be automated grading (based on some sort of validated output?) If the users gets to thousands, hand-grading is out of the question...

This is great- I'm taking Into to Databases and AI at my university this semester, and I'm sure working the Stanford courses alongside those will give me some awesome perspective.

Anyone know if there are any prerequisites for the class? Would someone with programming knowledge but no database knowledge be able to take this class?

Any word on whether the course materials will be available in the future, or if the course itself will be offered in the future?

Am I understanding correctly that this course is more about how to use databases than how they work and how to implement them?

why aren't these on stanford.edu subdomains?

How is one single teacher going to deal with thousands of students?

Winter just got interesting!