30 Questions
What are the primary differences between the SDLC and prototyping approaches to database development?
SDLC is a detailed, well-planned, and time-consuming development process, while prototyping is a rapid application development (RAD) approach that involves a cursory attempt at conceptual data modeling.
What are the five main steps involved in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)?
The five main steps are: Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance.
What is the primary focus of the planning step in the SDLC?
The primary focus is to gain a preliminary understanding of the business situation, including enterprise modeling and conceptual data modeling.
What is the purpose of the analysis step in the SDLC?
The purpose is to conduct a thorough analysis of the business situation, leading to the identification of functional requirements and detailed conceptual data modeling.
What is involved in the design step of the SDLC?
The design step involves logical and physical database design, as well as the development of technology and organizational plans.
What is the primary focus of the maintenance step in the SDLC?
The primary focus is to monitor, repair, and enhance the database to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the business.
What is the primary purpose of an Enterprise Data Model in the context of data modeling?
To capture high-level entities and relationships for the organization.
What is the typical relationship between entities in a data model, and what are the other possible relationships?
One-to-many (1: N) or many-to-many (M: N); one-to-one (1:1) is also possible.
What is a 'project data model' in the context of data modeling, and how does it differ from an enterprise data model?
A project data model is a more detailed view of the data structure, matching the data structure in a database or data warehouse; it differs from an enterprise data model in that it provides a more detailed view of the data structure.
What is the fundamental concept of relational databases, and what represents entities and relationships in this technology?
The fundamental concept of relational databases is the use of tables (relations) to represent entities, and primary/foreign keys to represent relationships.
What is an entity in the context of data modeling, and what are entities composed of?
An entity is a noun form describing a person, place, object, event, or concept, and it is composed of attributes.
What is the purpose of a data model, and what does it capture?
The purpose of a data model is to capture the nature and relationships of data, and it provides a graphical diagram of this information.
What are the primary characteristics of the Traditional SDLC approach to information systems development?
Methodical, structured, and time-consuming
What are the different flavors of Rapid Application Development (RAD) mentioned in the text?
Prototyping, Agile methodologies, eXtreme programming, Scrum, and DSDM (dynamic system development methodologies)
What is the primary purpose of the External Schema in the Three-Schema Architecture?
To provide user views or subsets of the Conceptual Schema
What is the primary responsibility of the DBA (Database Administrator) in relation to the External Schema?
To determine the schema for different users
What is the definition of a project in the context of database development?
A planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end
During which stages of the SDLC is the project executed?
Analysis, design, and implementation
What are the characteristics of data that are described in metadata, and how do they provide context to the data?
Metadata describes the properties or characteristics of data, including data types, field sizes, allowable values, and data context. This provides context to the data by giving meaning and significance to the data, making it possible to understand and use the data effectively.
How does program-data dependence in file processing lead to lengthy development times and excessive program maintenance?
Program-data dependence in file processing leads to lengthy development times because programmers must design their own file formats, and to excessive program maintenance because each program maintains its own metadata, resulting in duplication of effort and resources.
What are the implications of having different systems or programs maintaining separate copies of the same data in file processing?
Having different systems or programs maintaining separate copies of the same data in file processing leads to duplication of data, which can result in data inconsistencies, errors, and inefficiencies in data management.
How does the lack of centralized control of data in file processing affect data sharing and collaboration?
The lack of centralized control of data in file processing makes it difficult to share data between different systems or programs, leading to limited data sharing and collaboration.
What is the significance of the 80% figure mentioned in the context of file processing disadvantages?
The 80% figure refers to the proportion of the information systems budget that is spent on program maintenance, which is a significant disadvantage of file processing.
What is the primary difference between data and information, and how is this concept illustrated in Figure 1-1?
Data refers to the raw facts and figures, while information refers to the meaningful and useful content that is derived from the data. Figure 1-1 illustrates this concept by showing how data is converted into information through summarization and analysis.
What are the primary responsibilities of a database analyst and data modeler in a database project team?
Focus on the database and establishing requirements for it.
What are the main objectives that drive the evolution of database systems?
Need for program-data independence, desire to manage more complex data types, ease of data access for less technical personnel, and need for more powerful decision support platforms.
Who is responsible for establishing standards for data in business units?
Database architects.
What is the primary role of a project manager in a database project team?
Overseeing the project and managing the personnel.
Who are the 'customers' in a database project team?
The users.
What is the primary responsibility of a data administrator in a database project team?
Ensuring data integrity and consistency in existing databases.
Test your understanding of converting data into information, including data types, field sizes, and allowable values. Learn how to summarize and describe data with the correct metadata.
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