Week 21: CST363 4th Week! Midway Madness!

    This week was tough, like trying to join a table with itself tough. We're halfway through the course, and I think my brain has working against me. It's been a wild ride, database design, java, and just enough confusion to keep things interesting. But hey, if I can normalize my life as well as I've normalized data, I might just make it to the final exam.

 Here's what I've managed to learn so far: 

1. I now know that databases are more than just fancy spreadsheets. They're a way to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently, though some days it feels like they're just designed to make my life harder.

2. SQL has been both a savior and a source of frustration. From simple SELECT statements to making sure my JOIN queries don’t return the same row 50 times, I’ve really sharpened my query-writing skills.

3. I explored more advanced queries using aggregate functions , special operators, and different types of joins,  which help combine data from multiple tables.

4. Normalization has taught me to avoid redundancy. It’s like a Marie Kondo approach to databases if a field doesn’t spark joy, put it in another table. 

5. I explored how indexes are used to speed up database queries by organizing data efficiently. 

Questions I Still Have About Databases

1. How do databases handle concurrency when multiple users are accessing and modifying the same data simultaneously?

2. What are the best practices for optimizing query performance in large-scale databases?

3. How do modern databases implement security features to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data?