ViSQL: An Intelligent Online SQL Tutoring System

Abstract

A simple way to assess the correctness of a student’s SQL query is to compare results with a correct query for equality. Technically, the two queries will produce identical responses only if they are computationally equivalent. Until recently, establishing such equality largely tested set equality of the returned results at great computational cost with not enough confidence. In most e-Learning systems, providing feedback to improve learning has remained illusive in a setup where no semantic foundation was used to assess the query. In this paper, we present a new e-Learning platform for SQL, called ViSQL, that combines teaching, tutoring and assessment in one single system. We leverage recent development of a query equivalence solver to craft mentoring strategies using automated feedback and guidance to aid learning and scale learner support.