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Can a lecturer force you to learn a specific programming syntax / language?
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My class is currently further learning our Relational database / SQL as part of the course.
The lecturer we have currently is restricting us to learning specifically Oracle SQL syntax rather than allowing us an option to using PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ect..
When we brought up our preference in the use of alternative systems due to working with those mentioned above in work placements or academic study from the year prior we where talk down to for even discussing the matter.
Is this permissible within the UK to restrict students from using a preferred database syntax / software environment?
software
asked 58 mins ago
Student
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up vote
3
down vote
favorite
My class is currently further learning our Relational database / SQL as part of the course.
The lecturer we have currently is restricting us to learning specifically Oracle SQL syntax rather than allowing us an option to using PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ect..
When we brought up our preference in the use of alternative systems due to working with those mentioned above in work placements or academic study from the year prior we where talk down to for even discussing the matter.
Is this permissible within the UK to restrict students from using a preferred database syntax / software environment?
software
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support theMERGEsyntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causesDatabase Agnostic Codeto be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.
– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
My class is currently further learning our Relational database / SQL as part of the course.
The lecturer we have currently is restricting us to learning specifically Oracle SQL syntax rather than allowing us an option to using PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ect..
When we brought up our preference in the use of alternative systems due to working with those mentioned above in work placements or academic study from the year prior we where talk down to for even discussing the matter.
Is this permissible within the UK to restrict students from using a preferred database syntax / software environment?
software
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My class is currently further learning our Relational database / SQL as part of the course.
The lecturer we have currently is restricting us to learning specifically Oracle SQL syntax rather than allowing us an option to using PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ect..
When we brought up our preference in the use of alternative systems due to working with those mentioned above in work placements or academic study from the year prior we where talk down to for even discussing the matter.
Is this permissible within the UK to restrict students from using a preferred database syntax / software environment?
software
software
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
asked 58 mins ago
Student
211
211
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Student is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support theMERGEsyntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causesDatabase Agnostic Codeto be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.
– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago
add a comment |Â
2
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support theMERGEsyntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causesDatabase Agnostic Codeto be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.
– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago
2
2
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support the
MERGE syntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causes Database Agnostic Code to be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support the
MERGE syntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causes Database Agnostic Code to be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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up vote
5
down vote
No, he can't. But he can make you fail the class.
Lecturers usually have free rein over the specifics of the material taught. Therefore they are free to choose any technology or dialect[1] as long it is within the area of the course subjects.
Nobody can force you to study anything but if you want't to pass his exam or the course by e.g. submitting lab problems, you have to play by his rules.
Also, he might not know any other dialect and therefore be only able to teach (and grade) Oracle SQL. Or he might consider it the best dialect, e.g. because of wide industry use.
Finally, although I would be annoyed by this as well, sometimes you have to suck it up and just pass the course. Lecturers that teach the same (obsolete) material for 20 years are unfortunately a reality in academia. At least you might learn what to avoid in the future.
[1] MongoDB is not SQL
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Unless there is something in the course description saying otherwise, the lecturer can choose the syntax for all submitted coursework and exams. Picking a specific syntax makes the lectures less confusing, as well as simplifying testing and grading of coursework and exams. To pass the course, you will have to learn Oracle SQL.
You may be confusing "requiring you to learn X" with "restricting you from learning Y". In the long term, you will have to learn a lot of material during your career, and it will not always be feasible to get classes in exactly what you need to learn. Independent study can become essential.
Consider repeating some of the coursework using the database of your choice, for your own education.
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
No, he can't. But he can make you fail the class.
Lecturers usually have free rein over the specifics of the material taught. Therefore they are free to choose any technology or dialect[1] as long it is within the area of the course subjects.
Nobody can force you to study anything but if you want't to pass his exam or the course by e.g. submitting lab problems, you have to play by his rules.
Also, he might not know any other dialect and therefore be only able to teach (and grade) Oracle SQL. Or he might consider it the best dialect, e.g. because of wide industry use.
Finally, although I would be annoyed by this as well, sometimes you have to suck it up and just pass the course. Lecturers that teach the same (obsolete) material for 20 years are unfortunately a reality in academia. At least you might learn what to avoid in the future.
[1] MongoDB is not SQL
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
No, he can't. But he can make you fail the class.
Lecturers usually have free rein over the specifics of the material taught. Therefore they are free to choose any technology or dialect[1] as long it is within the area of the course subjects.
Nobody can force you to study anything but if you want't to pass his exam or the course by e.g. submitting lab problems, you have to play by his rules.
Also, he might not know any other dialect and therefore be only able to teach (and grade) Oracle SQL. Or he might consider it the best dialect, e.g. because of wide industry use.
Finally, although I would be annoyed by this as well, sometimes you have to suck it up and just pass the course. Lecturers that teach the same (obsolete) material for 20 years are unfortunately a reality in academia. At least you might learn what to avoid in the future.
[1] MongoDB is not SQL
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
No, he can't. But he can make you fail the class.
Lecturers usually have free rein over the specifics of the material taught. Therefore they are free to choose any technology or dialect[1] as long it is within the area of the course subjects.
Nobody can force you to study anything but if you want't to pass his exam or the course by e.g. submitting lab problems, you have to play by his rules.
Also, he might not know any other dialect and therefore be only able to teach (and grade) Oracle SQL. Or he might consider it the best dialect, e.g. because of wide industry use.
Finally, although I would be annoyed by this as well, sometimes you have to suck it up and just pass the course. Lecturers that teach the same (obsolete) material for 20 years are unfortunately a reality in academia. At least you might learn what to avoid in the future.
[1] MongoDB is not SQL
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
No, he can't. But he can make you fail the class.
Lecturers usually have free rein over the specifics of the material taught. Therefore they are free to choose any technology or dialect[1] as long it is within the area of the course subjects.
Nobody can force you to study anything but if you want't to pass his exam or the course by e.g. submitting lab problems, you have to play by his rules.
Also, he might not know any other dialect and therefore be only able to teach (and grade) Oracle SQL. Or he might consider it the best dialect, e.g. because of wide industry use.
Finally, although I would be annoyed by this as well, sometimes you have to suck it up and just pass the course. Lecturers that teach the same (obsolete) material for 20 years are unfortunately a reality in academia. At least you might learn what to avoid in the future.
[1] MongoDB is not SQL
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
edited 13 mins ago
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
answered 41 mins ago
problemofficer
2,97641128
2,97641128
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
3
3
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Another point is that assignments for programming courses are often graded with the help of an automated test harness. It is not necessarily trivial to set up such a system to work for multiple languages / dialects.
– Nate Eldredge
31 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
Even if it adds only 10% more effort to grading it's worthwhile for a lecturer to save that time for themself or any TAs.
– Bryan Krause
25 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Unless there is something in the course description saying otherwise, the lecturer can choose the syntax for all submitted coursework and exams. Picking a specific syntax makes the lectures less confusing, as well as simplifying testing and grading of coursework and exams. To pass the course, you will have to learn Oracle SQL.
You may be confusing "requiring you to learn X" with "restricting you from learning Y". In the long term, you will have to learn a lot of material during your career, and it will not always be feasible to get classes in exactly what you need to learn. Independent study can become essential.
Consider repeating some of the coursework using the database of your choice, for your own education.
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Unless there is something in the course description saying otherwise, the lecturer can choose the syntax for all submitted coursework and exams. Picking a specific syntax makes the lectures less confusing, as well as simplifying testing and grading of coursework and exams. To pass the course, you will have to learn Oracle SQL.
You may be confusing "requiring you to learn X" with "restricting you from learning Y". In the long term, you will have to learn a lot of material during your career, and it will not always be feasible to get classes in exactly what you need to learn. Independent study can become essential.
Consider repeating some of the coursework using the database of your choice, for your own education.
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Unless there is something in the course description saying otherwise, the lecturer can choose the syntax for all submitted coursework and exams. Picking a specific syntax makes the lectures less confusing, as well as simplifying testing and grading of coursework and exams. To pass the course, you will have to learn Oracle SQL.
You may be confusing "requiring you to learn X" with "restricting you from learning Y". In the long term, you will have to learn a lot of material during your career, and it will not always be feasible to get classes in exactly what you need to learn. Independent study can become essential.
Consider repeating some of the coursework using the database of your choice, for your own education.
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
Unless there is something in the course description saying otherwise, the lecturer can choose the syntax for all submitted coursework and exams. Picking a specific syntax makes the lectures less confusing, as well as simplifying testing and grading of coursework and exams. To pass the course, you will have to learn Oracle SQL.
You may be confusing "requiring you to learn X" with "restricting you from learning Y". In the long term, you will have to learn a lot of material during your career, and it will not always be feasible to get classes in exactly what you need to learn. Independent study can become essential.
Consider repeating some of the coursework using the database of your choice, for your own education.
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
answered 26 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.4k94171
24.4k94171
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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2
I don't understand the downvote. This is a useful question with a very clear answer: Yes, of course it is.
– JeffE
45 mins ago
PostgreSQL doesn't support the
MERGEsyntax. The capability of the windowing functions (analytics) is different for different DBs. CTEs operate differently (PLAN) on different DBs. Every RDBMS handles transactions differently which causesDatabase Agnostic Codeto be a myth. It would be wise to stick with one RDBMS for the entire class.– Michael Kutz
49 secs ago