104Course · Foundation
Databases
The concept the blockchain generalizes.
A blockchain is a database with a specific consistency model and a specific set of writers. The course treats the older discipline first — relational and key-value stores, ACID and BASE, CAP — so the blockchain reads as a variant, not a revolution.
- 01
Distinguish relational from key-value stores.
- 02
Explain ACID and BASE.
- 03
Describe replication and consistency models.
Prerequisites
- — Basic computing literacy.
Pacing
~3 hours.
- IModule
The database as institution
The two dominant models.
- IIModule
Consistency
The tradeoffs the CAP theorem forces.
A Note from the Faculty
The database chapter of Kleppmann is the best on-ramp to consensus you will ever read.