JHammond CSUMB

     This first week in CST334, we went over the fundamental components that make up an operating system and how they interact with hardware and software. One of the key concepts we explored was the difference between kernel mode and user mode.      Kernel mode grants programs unrestricted access to the system. This mode is mainly used by the operating system to manage hardware and execute critical tasks. In contrast, user mode grants more restricted access, which is more appropriate for normal programs, preventing them from harming the system or interfering with other processes. This separation is crucial for maintaining system stability and security, ensuring that user programs can run safely without jeopardizing the integrity of the operating system.      We also started to get familiar with navigating around and editing files in Linux. We learned about file permissions in Linux, as well as how to display and change them, and how to run ba...

       In this course on database systems, I found the most important takeaway to be the foundational understanding of SQL syntax and functions. Learning to effectively use commands like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE allowed me to interact with databases confidently. It was eye-opening to see how these commands can be combined to create complex queries, enabling meaningful data retrieval and manipulation.      Another key aspect was grasping database design principles, particularly normalization and the relationships between tables. This knowledge is crucial for building efficient database structures that maintain data integrity and minimize redundancy. Finally, developing skills in data manipulation and retrieval through filtering, sorting, and aggregation techniques really enhanced my ability to analyze and interpret data. Overall, these skills are essential for working with databases and will serve me well in future projects.

     MongoDB and MySQL are both powerful database management systems, but they cater to different needs and use cases. A key similarity between the two is that they both serve the fundamental purpose of storing and retrieving data, allowing for efficient data management and retrieval through structured queries. Additionally, both systems support transactions, though their implementation differs. MySQL uses a structured query language (SQL) for managing relational data, while MongoDB employs a flexible, document-oriented approach that stores data in JSON-like format.      The primary differences lie in their data models and scalability. MySQL is relational and best suited for structured data with fixed schemas, making it ideal for applications that require complex queries and strong data integrity. In contrast, MongoDB is schema-less, allowing for more flexibility and scalability, which is beneficial for applications dealing with large volumes of unstructure...

     In Week 6, I learned about application programming interfaces (APIs) and their critical role in connecting applications to services like databases. The week covered various types of database APIs, their capabilities, and the architectural structure that underpins their functionality. Additionally, I explored how APIs facilitate efficient data management and interaction while addressing challenges related to different programming languages.      An application programming interface (API) defines the interaction between applications and services like databases, with variations depending on the programming language used. Common APIs for relational databases include ODBC, JDBC, and DB-API, each facilitating connection management, query preparation, execution, and interaction with stored procedures. These APIs streamline data access and manipulation for developers.      Database APIs typically consist of two layers: a driver for direct ...