CS 395T Integrating Programming Languages and Databases (Fall 2003)

Location	TT 9:30-11 AM GEO 2.202 Unique Number: 52783 Web: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/wcook/Courses/PLDB2003
Instructor	William Cook Email: wcook@cs.utexas.edu Phone: (512) 471-9555 Office: ACES 5.244 Office Hours: Tuesday & Friday 2-3:30 pm, or by appointment (first part used to review presentations for the next class)
Overview	This seminar will focus on the interaction between databases and programming languages. Given that most large systems involve general-purpose computation as well as a need for robust and safe persistent storage, the problem of building systems that combine the best qualities of modern programming languages and databases is a critical one. We will examine the various approaches to this problem, including persistence in programming languages, object-oriented databases, active databases, object-relational approaches, and possible new approaches based on XML. We will also discuss and analyze the current state of practice, EJB/.NET persistence/transaction models and object-relational mapping.
Prerequisites	The key prerequisite for this course is interest in the topic and willingness to explore, discuss, and learn new material. The readings for this course are diverse, as we explore alternative solutions to the problem at hand. We will review background material as necessary, but students may have to do additional background reading for some papers, based on their particular background and experience.
Course Format	This will be an informal graduate seminar based on reading, presentation and discussion of papers. The first few lectures will set the context and quickly review background material. The remainder of the course will consist of in-class presentation and discussion of papers. One of the primary goals of the course is to identify promising research areas.
Details	Paper Critiques At the begriming of each class, every students must turn in a one page critique of the days paper(s). The critique must include a summary of the main contribution of the paper, point out any particularly good aspects of the paper, and discuss limitations or failings of the paper. Every student may skip up to 3 paper critiques. If there are two papers on a day, they may be considered together or separately. Critiques will be graded on a scale of three points: 3=excelent, 2=acceptable, 1=insufficient Presentations Students will select papers to present in class. The week before the presentation the student must meet with the professor to review the presentation plan. At the end of the class students will also give a short presentation on their project. Students must submit their top 4 choices for days to present by September 4. The first 45 minutes of office hours are devoted to reviewing presentations. For thursday presentations, students should visit on tuesday of that week. For Tuesday presentations, they should visit the previous thursday. If there are two papers on a day, they are presented by a single student. Class participation The goal of the course is to foster discussion leading to better understanding of the material. Pop quizzes Pop quizzes on the day's papers may be given at any time. Project Each student will select a project topic and complete a project during the semester. The project must be written up in a report. A short presentation of the project will be given to the class. The project may involve software development or theoretical analysis. Project proposals will be due before the middle of the semester. At the end of the class students will also give a short presentation on their project.
Grading	15% Paper critiques. 15% Pop quizzes 15% Class participation 20% Presentations 35% Project
	Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities area of the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 (voice) or 471-4641 (TTY for users who are deaf or hard of hearing) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations