Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases • Hacker News Board

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#31

Post by MaxGabriel » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 11:41 AM UTC

Can anyone offer some advice in choosing between the three courses?

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.

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#32

Post by jules » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 12:00 PM UTC

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

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#33

Post by exit » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 12:32 PM UTC

why aren't these on stanford.edu subdomains?

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#34

Post by eazolan » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 1:11 PM UTC

sktrdie wrote: post #22

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

Why can't one single teacher deal with millions of students?

Or are you stuck on the system you grew up with, unable to imagine any improvements?

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#35

Post by brosephius » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 1:47 PM UTC

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.

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#36

Post by teamlaft » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 1:47 PM UTC

emiranda wrote: post #13

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?

I just signed up and have some programming knowledge but practically no database knowledge. From reading the description and looking at the syllabus, I don't think any coding knowledge is required. I do think though that this is critical for learning to code because you're always going to be dealing with db's in some form or another, so I'm excited.

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#37

Post by mrcharles » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 2:06 PM UTC

brosephius wrote: post #35

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.

There's no cost to failing, I assume. Sign up and don't do the work, you won't be the first student to ever do so.

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#38

Post by jturn » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 2:41 PM UTC

exit wrote: post #33

why aren't these on stanford.edu subdomains?

Maybe to emphasize that you are not getting credit?

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#39

Post by AdamTReineke » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 2:41 PM UTC

brosephius wrote: post #35

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.

For the AI class, they had tweeted that they were looking into the possibility of letting people audit the class.[1]

[1] https://twitter.com/#!/aiclass/status/97508929893965825

Re: Stanford Fall 2011 - Introduction to Databases

#40

Post by SkyMarshal » Tue, Aug 16, 2011, 3:00 PM UTC

MaxGabriel wrote: post #31

Can anyone offer some advice in choosing between the three courses? 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.

You're more likely to need and use the DB course topics earlier in your career, unless you specifically get a job in ML or AI. However, those topics are also easier to learn and understand on your own without guidance. If you post your school's db course curriculum, we can help you compare it with the Stanford one. Initial instinct - go with the ai or ml course (or take a reduced course load this fall and take both, then see if you can get the Stanford completion certificate to transfer as credits to your school).