TY - JOUR
T1 - A Visualization Tool for Teaching and Learning Database Decomposition System
AU - A. A. Taofiki and A. O. Tale
JO - Journal of Information and Computing Science
VL - 1
SP - 003
EP - 010
PY - 2024
DA - 2024/01
SN - 7
DO - http://doi.org/
UR - https://global-sci.org/intro/article_detail/jics/22657.html
KW -  functional  dependencies,  database  keys,  normal  forms,  dependencies  preserving,  algorithms,                      
relational schemas  

AB -  Database  designers  and  students  of  computer  science  in  tertiary  institutions  find  it  difficult  to 
learn database theory in which database decomposition is a major aspect. This work presents a visualization 
tool  to  simplify  the  study  of  decomposition  algorithms  behaviours  which  would  assist  the  students  and 
database designers  to decompose  any relational  schema  with  its functional  dependencies  in  case  it violates 
third  normal  form  or  Boyce  Codd  Normal  Form.  Students  perceptions  are  captured  via  translating 
decomposition  algorithms  into  visualization  tool  for  entering  relational  attributes  with  their  functional 
dependencies.  Students  are  requested  to  move  an  arrow  from  one  normal  form  to  another  and  the  system 
specifies a green light as an indication of normalized form or red light as an indication of violation of normal 
form  for  learning  purposes.  Students  use  the  tool  to  understand  the  abstract  knowledge  of  decomposition 
techniques and easily use it to decompose any relation if it violates either third normal form or Boyce Codd 
normal form. The effectiveness of the tool has been evaluated in surveys and the students generally viewed it 
more positively than conventional classroom teaching.