Would a database systems class or programming languages class be more beneficial?

Question

I am currently a senior math major with knowledge of programming and will enroll in a computer science masters program next year. I only have space in my schedule to take one of these classes. The descriptions of the classes are:

Database systems: A database is a system whose purpose is to organize, retrieve, and maintain large amounts of information. This course introduces the concepts and structure used in designing and implement database systems. Topics include hierarchical, network, relational, and object-oriented data models, database design principles, normalization, data dictionaries, query languages and processing.

Programming Languages: The study of programming language features and their implementation in different types of programming languages. the design goals and motivations for various languages will be discussed. Topics will include a comparison of block-structured, object-oriented, functional, and logic programming languages. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of language will be considered. Specific examples of each type of language will be included.

I am more interested in coding than in administrative tasks, so I am planning on taking programming languages. However, would there be a benefit in taking the other class instead?

Answer 1

check the prereqs for both classes, make sure you have them



I'd take the database class because there are so many free programming classes on the web, but very few free databases classes



Harvard's Intro to CS course

http://cs50.tv/2012/fall/



Stanford

Programming Methodology (their Intro to CS course)

on youtube

/watch?v=KkMDCCdjyW8



and to see the entire 28 video playlist add this to the above

&list=PL84A56BC7F4A1F852



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkMDCCdjyW8&list=PL84A56BC7F4A1F852



udacity - lots of courses

https://www.udacity.com/courses



coursera

https://www.coursera.org/courses?orderby=upcoming&cats=cs-theory,cs-systems,cs-programming,cs-ai



edx

(take the harvard course in a more formal manner)

https://www.edx.org/course/harvardx/harvardx-cs50x-introduction-computer-1022



the new boston

http://thenewboston.org/tutorials.php



you can do these programming classes for free and with no pressure (and you don't have to worry about your GPA)

Answer 2

If your interested in the coding part, do the Programming Languages, you will get to experience the broad spectrum of current languages that are used for coding. The database part is more along the task of a network / systems admin where as they may need to code SQL and other specific databases.

Answer 3

I agree with Byron. A taste of several languages is really helpful. It helps you see things on an abstract level to understand more fully what kind of things to expect a computer programming language to be able to do - then you learn the syntax of your specific computer language later. The earlier you begin learning how to break problems down into their logical steps, the easier your later classes will go.

Answer 4

Ii would suggest to you to take Database systems. As its beneficial in your C.V.. there are so many websites and books for learning programming . for me databases are a bit harder to learn alone .