Using Databases with Python

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/python-databases

Introduction

**Course Review: Using Databases with Python on Coursera** If you're eager to enhance your data handling skills and dive into the realms of databases and visualization, *Using Databases with Python* on Coursera is a stellar option worth considering. This course is meticulously designed to provide learners with foundational knowledge in SQL and database design while merging it seamlessly with Python programming for practical applications. ### Course Overview The course focuses on the Structured Query Language (SQL) essential for manipulating relational databases and utilizes SQLite3 as the primary database management system. It does an excellent job of introducing essential concepts while emphasizing hands-on projects, including building web crawlers and multi-step data gathering processes. Moreover, it introduces students to data visualization techniques using the D3.js library, further enriching the learning experience. The course follows Chapters 14-15 from “Python for Everybody,” ensuring that students can relate their academic learning directly to an authoritative text. ### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Object-Oriented Python** - This section is fundamental for understanding the structure and patterns that underpin many libraries and frameworks, including those we will use in the course, such as BeautifulSoup. An understanding of object-oriented principles facilitates more intuitive coding practices and better grasp of how various elements interact within Python. 2. **Basic Structured Query Language** - Here, learners get hands-on practice with the four core CRUD operations. Understanding how to Create, Read, Update, and Delete data is crucial for any aspiring data professional. This section is aptly designed to ensure that students develop confidence in managing and querying databases. 3. **Data Models and Relational SQL** - This segment focuses on the relational aspect of databases. The ability to understand how fields are structured across multiple tables and how relationships between different tables function is key to effective database management. 4. **Many-to-Many Relationships in SQL** - This part dives a bit deeper into complex data interactions, such as educational enrollments where students and courses have reciprocal relationships. Grasping such concepts prepares learners for real-world database challenges and enriches their foundational knowledge. 5. **Databases and Visualization** - Finally, this section puts theory into practice. Students will not only retrieve and process data but also visualize it using the Google Maps API. This integration of database functionality and visualization is an attractive feature of the course, as it showcases the broader applications of the skills learned. ### Who Should Enroll? *Using Databases with Python* is suitable for learners at various levels—whether you’re a beginner looking to step into the world of databases or an intermediate programmer seeking to enhance your skillset. The course's comprehensive structure makes it accessible while still being insightful for those familiar with Python. ### Recommendations I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to build a robust foundation in database management using Python. Its hands-on approach ensures that students are not just passive learners; they engage with the material and apply their knowledge in practical projects. Moreover, the integration with libraries like BeautifulSoup for web scraping and D3.js for visualization is a clear advantage, allowing students to see the broader shilling connections between data acquisition, processing, and representation. ### Final Thoughts In conclusion, Coursera’s *Using Databases with Python* is an engaging, informative, and practical course that equips students with essential skills for data management and analysis. Whether you aim to pursue a career in data science, data engineering, or simply want to bolster your programming toolkit, this course serves as a valuable stepping stone. Dive in, and you'll walk away with a solid understanding and practical experience that will be highly beneficial in the ever-evolving field of data.

Syllabus

Object Oriented Python

To start this class out we cover the basics of Object Oriented Python. We won't be writing our own objects, but since many of the things we use like BeautifulSoup, strings, dictionaries, database connections all use Object Oriented (OO) patterns we should at least understand some of its patterns and terminology.

We learn the four core CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) to manage data stored in a database.

In this section we learn about how data is stored across multiple tables in a database and how rows are linked (i.e., we establish relationships) in the database.

In this section we explore how to model situations like students enrolling in courses where each course has many students and each student is enrolled in many courses.

In this section, we put it all together, retrieve and process some data and then use the Google Maps API to visualize our data.