Prof. Tilmann Rabl, Martin Boissier, Ilin Tolovski

Databases and Data Engineering form the foundation of almost all large-scale applications. In this lecture, we study database systems primarily from an internal perspective, i.e., we discuss how database systems are built internally.

Core topics include the physical storage of data on disk, index structures for efficient data access (e.g., B-trees), various algorithms for relational algebra operators (in particular, different join algorithms), query optimization (especially join order optimization using dynamic programming), and database system recovery after a system failure (e.g., power outage). The lecture concludes with a block on web-scale data management.

• The introductory lecture will also be streamed live, Zoom link is available in Moodle
• Course management will be done using the HPI Moodle
• The lectures will be held on-site at HPI (L-E.03, Mondays 13:30 to 15 and Thursdays from 11 to 12:30)
• Non-HPI participants : please send us an email to get access to the Moodle
• All lectures are recorded and available in Tele-Task

The lecture is accompanied by exercise sessions. Further information, schedules, announcements, and materials can be found on Moodle. We offer two identical weekly exercise sessions on Thursdays from 11:00 - 12:30. Please refer to the schedule below or in Moodle regarding room assignments.

In addition to the practical application of the lecture content, programming tasks will also be part of the exercise. These take place within a given programming framework and can be completed in Java or Kotlin (if needed, also in another JVM-compatible programming language).

We plan to have the exercise sessions every second Thursday, please refer to the Moodle schedule for any updates.

You need to pass all exercise quizzes and programming exercises with 50% or more in order to qualify for the final exam. One exercise quiz (not programming exercise) can be passed with 25%. 

This is the preliminary schedule for Database Systems II. There might be small changes to the schedule during the semester. Please check Moodle for the most recent schedule.

Hector Garcia-Molina, Jeffrey D. Ullman, Jennifer Widom: Database Systems - The Complete Book, Pearson Education International, 2002.
The database group has several copies of this book. Alternatively, you can buy it online.

Further recommended readings:

• "Datenbanken: Implementierungstechniken" by Saake, Heuer und Sattler (German)
• "Grundlagen von Datenbanksystemen" by Elmasri und Navathe (German)
• "Fundamentals of Database Systems" by Elmasri und Navathe (English)
• "Database Management Systems" von Ramakrishnan und Gehrke

The final grade will be determined only by the exam. To qualify for the final exam, you need to pass the mandatory exercises.

Grade: 100% Exam

Exam Date: 05.02.2026.