Towards automatic grading of SQL queries

Abstract

An Introduction to Databases course involves learning the concepts of data storage, manipulation, and retrieval. Relational databases provide an ideal learning path for understanding database concepts. The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a standard language for interacting with relational database. Each database vendor implements a variation of the SQL standard. Furthermore, a particular question that asks for some data can be written in many ways, using somewhat similar or structurally different SQL queries. Evaluation of SQL queries for correctness involves the verification of the SQL syntax and semantics, as well as verification of the output of queries and the usage of correct clauses. An evaluation tool should be independent of the specific database queried, and of the nature of the queries, and should allow multiple ways of providing input and retrieving the output. In this report, we have developed an evaluation tool for SQL queries, which checks for correctness of MySQL and PostgreSQL queries with the help of a parser that can identify SQL clauses. The tool developed will act as a portal for students to test and improve their queries, and finally to submit the queries for grading. The tool minimizes the manual effort required while grading, by taking advantage of the SQL parser to check queries for correctness, provide feedback, and allow submission.