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Completed 4 episodes ~ 41 min total read

Database Engineering: Database Fundamentals

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Episodes

4 items • ~41 min
  1. 1

    What is a Database & DBMS: Why Not Just Use Files?

    Updated

    Most developers use databases without knowing why they exist. Learn what a DBMS really does, why flat files fail at scale, and the trade-offs that make databases essential.

    Published Mar 21, 2026 • 10 min read
  2. 2

    Relational Model & Normalization: How to Design Tables That Last

    Updated

    Bad schema design creates bugs invisible until production. Learn the relational model from first principles, then normalize to 3NF/BCNF with real examples and trade-offs.

    Published Mar 22, 2026 • 10 min read
  3. 3

    SQL Fundamentals: SELECT, JOIN, GROUP BY and the Queries That Trip Everyone Up

    Updated

    SQL is easy to start and hard to master. This post covers every JOIN type, GROUP BY traps, subqueries, and the mental model that makes complex queries feel obvious.

    Published Mar 22, 2026 • 11 min read
  4. 4

    Database Indexes: B-Tree, Hash, Composite — When and Why to Use Them

    Updated

    Indexes are the biggest lever for database performance — and the most misused. Learn how B-Tree and Hash indexes work, when to add them, and when they hurt more than help.

    Published Mar 22, 2026 • 10 min read