Fundamentals of database engineering

Why do some database systems handle millions of users while others crash under pressure? The answer isn't in the SQL syntax - it's in the fundamental engineering principles that most developers never learn. This course reveals the architectural thinking that separates database users from database architects. Beyond SQL syntax: Forget memorizing commands. Master the core concepts that drive every database decision: indexing strategies that make queries lightning-fast, partitioning and sharding techniques that scale to billions of records, replication patterns that ensure zero downtime, and concurrency control that prevents data corruption. Engineering mindset: Like mathematics, database engineering isn't about memorizing formulas—it's about understanding principles. You'll learn to evaluate MongoDB vs PostgreSQL vs Oracle based on actual trade-offs, not marketing claims. Deep dive exploration: Explore database engines—the software layer that actually stores your data. Through hands-on demonstrations, you'll swap engines and observe how different storage strategies impact performance and features. The result: Confidence to architect database systems that scale, perform, and maintain reliability under any workload.