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AILT: Advancing Indigenous Language Technologies AILT: Intro to Databases course

an introduction to database design for participants in the Advancing Indigenous Language Technologies project.

Note

Hello World!

This site is HEAVILY inspired by the excellent tutorial constructed by the SQLModel folks and their tutorial website. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

What is this site and who is it for?

This site instructs you as to how to design and build your own SQLite database and use DB Browser to visualize and maintain it. We focus on the needs of community language workers who are interested in learning how to create custom databases for language materials.

Tip

'SQLite' is named after the computer language SQL, or Structured Query Language. SQL is a language specifically designed for computer database work. We pronounce the acronym 'SQL' like the word sequel. We pronounce 'SQLite' as sequel lite.

The materials on this site would be well-suited to small projects involving the use of databases to create small dictionaries, lexicons, phrasebooks or word-lists.

They will also be of use to individuals or groups who wish to learn some database design basics in order to jump-start their learning of more advanced applications, such as those that might produce larger and more complicated resources.

This is a set of very introductory tutorials and lessons, we do not assume that you have already developed skills in coding, data management, or other kinds of technology.

Info

If you are ready to start learning independently, you can begin with our Tutorials.

If you are enrolled in our workshop at CoLang2024, you can begin with our CoLang Workshop.

Resource Requirements

To use this site you will need to have access to at least the following resources:

  • a computer (PC, Mac or Linux) on which you have administrative access.

    • Windows 10 education or professional edition or better, or
    • Mac OS 13 or better, or
    • a current version of any Linux OS are recommended.

  • a connection to the internet.

  • a collection of language resources that might be intended for use as i.e. a dictionary, lexicon, phrasebook or word list.

Note

It is critically important that we treat language materials with care and respect. Just because you have access to language materials does not mean that it is appropriate for you to create and share those materials without clear and freely established permission from the language community to which they belong.

Status of our lessons

These materials are under construction, and may be expanded or modified at any time. We intend to maintain this resource as an expandable source of information for language workers who are building Indigenous Language Technologies.

At present, these materials focus on design and development of one or more relational databases. Relational databases are well-suited for storing, querying, searching, displaying and maintaining tabular information (materials that might also be managed in a spreadsheet.) There are other kinds of databases that are better suited for storing, querying, searching, and displaying whole documents, audio-visual materials, and the like. We hope to provide resources for workers developing other kinds of databases in the future.

Info

Computer databases were invented to allow people to safely, securely and persistently store information on computers; and to allow people to easily query those databases to retrieve selected types of information.

Who are we?

The primary individuals behind this site are:

We are all founding members of the Advancing Indigenous Language Technologies project.

You are welcome to contact us as you work through these materials!

Next Steps

Okay, let's get going! You can begin with our tutorials or, if you're participting in CoLang2024, with our CoLang Workshop. 🚀

Documentation: https://arizona-linguistics.github.io/ailt-intro-to-databases

Source Code: https://github.com/arizona-linguistics/ailt-intro-to-databases

License

This project is made available under the terms of CC BY-SA 4.0.