DBMS Quiz: Data Management Principles

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant advantage of using a DBMS regarding data loss?

DBMS eliminates the need for data storage.

DBMS allows for automatic backup and recovery. (correct)

DBMS provides unlimited storage capacity.

DBMS requires manual backups periodically.

How does a DBMS facilitate the development of new applications?

By requiring extensive restructuring of existing data.

By allowing instant access to existing data without re-creation. (correct)

By mandating the use of specific programming languages.

By limiting data access for new applications.

What does tunability in a DBMS refer to?

The restrictions on data entry formats.

The ability to automatically back up data.

The process of adjusting the database to enhance performance. (correct)

The capacity of the database to hold a large volume of data.

Which statement is true regarding the maintenance of DBMS?

DBMS systems are costly but maintenance is less expensive. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of central control in a DBMS?

Easier enforcement of data standards. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of traditional file processing systems compared to DBMS?

Higher risk of data redundancy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which function is NOT efficiently handled by a DBMS?

Manual data entry for each record. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what manner does a DBMS improve the performance of applications?

By allowing adjustments to the database performance settings. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a solid-state drive (SSD) from a hard disk drive (HDD)?

An SSD does not require moving parts for reading or writing data. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does file organization refer to?

The arrangement of data within a file (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a file?

A collection of data stored on a disk that enables organization. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of nonvolatile flash memory?

Data remains intact even without power. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about file organization is true?

It outlines how file records are mapped onto disk blocks. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role does file organization play in data retrieval?

It enhances the speed and efficiency of accessing data. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what context is file organization described?

As an arrangement of structured computer files. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How can data be categorized within files?

Through meaningful groups based on type or purpose. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the conceptual schema in database design?

To provide a detailed, technology-independent specification of organizational data. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the logical database design process?

Deciding the organization of physical records. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a physical schema describe?

How data from a logical schema is stored in a computer’s secondary memory. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which programming languages may be used during the database implementation phase?

Java and SQL (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of physical database design?

Choosing the specific database management system (DBMS) for implementation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What stage follows the logical schema design in the database development process?

Database implementation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following constitutes a part of the database maintenance process?

Allowing the database to evolve over time. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In which phase is the final database documentation typically completed?

During database implementation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of data modeling in database design?

To serve as a bridge between real-world objects and the database (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge faced by database designers when developing a database?

Aligning different perceptions of data among stakeholders (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a data model?

A graphical representation of complex data structures (D) Signup and view all the answers

To avoid failures in database designs, what must database designers achieve?

A precise understanding of data characteristics and uses (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does data modeling contribute to communication among stakeholders?

By simplifying and clarifying complex data relationships (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to trace the evolution of data models?

To recognize design issues and improve implementation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of data is represented in a data model?

Data structures and their characteristics (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of misaligned data perspectives within an organization?

Ineffective database designs that do not meet needs (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attribute allows for multiple values to be stored in a single attribute?

Multivalued Attribute (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a derived attribute?

An attribute calculated from other attributes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What purpose do database keys serve?

To identify a unique row in a table (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a secondary key?

It can be used alongside the primary key to locate specific data. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does a compound key differ from a composite key?

A compound key involves foreign keys from different tables. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a constraint in the context of databases?

A limitation to ensure data integrity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a data action violates a set constraint?

The action is aborted. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a composite attribute?

An attribute divided into sub-attributes (D) Signup and view all the answers

How can a derived attribute such as an employee's age be calculated?

Through an algorithm that uses the employee's date of birth (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which notation uses a dashed line to represent a derived attribute?

Chen notation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does connectivity in an ERD describe?

The nature of relationships between entities (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept describes the maximum number of entities of one set associated with entities of another set?

Mapping cardinality (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which SQL command can be used to calculate a derived attribute in Microsoft SQL Server?

SELECT DATEDIFF(YEAR, EMP_DOB, GETDATE()) (A) Signup and view all the answers

In which kind of relationship does cardinality ratios primarily apply?

Binary relationships (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is not true regarding derived attributes?

They should always be stored directly in the database. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the number of entities associated with a relationship?

Degree (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

INFS 329: Database Management

Course covers database management topics, including an overview, benefits, and challenges.
Overview focuses on database concepts, terminologies, applications, and limitations.
Students will be able to understand database concepts and the historical development of database systems.
Students will be able to discuss the benefits and challenges of database management systems for organizations and individuals.

Database Terminologies

Data: Raw, unprocessed facts stored in a database.
Metadata: Data about data, including field descriptions, file types, structure, and access rules.
Information: Processed data that makes sense, presented as query results or reports.
Null: A value representing missing or unknown data.
Entity: A thing, person, place, or concept in a database.
Attribute (Field): Characteristics of an entity.
Record (Tuple): A set of attribute values for an entity.
Key: An attribute or attribute combination that uniquely identifies a record.
- Primary Key: Uniquely identifies a record in a table.
- Foreign Key: A field in one table linked to a primary key in another table for relationships.

What is a Database?

An organized collection of related data.
A database represents an aspect of the real world, reflecting changes in that aspect.
Designed for a specific purpose, used by someone.
Examples include phonebooks, class registers, lists of registered students and items sold in a store.

Databases are Structured

Data is categorized and structured into tables.

What is a File?

A collection of records or documents about a single organization, person, or subject.

Query

Querying a database means retrieving specific data.
Example query: "Salesperson='Mary' AND Price>100"
Database examples of items sold in a grocery shop can be cited.

More Terminologies

Entity: The concept the table describes (e.g., customer, course).
Attribute (Field): Items of information unique to an entity (e.g., Customer ID, name, address).
Record (Tuple): A set of values for each characteristic of an entity (e.g., a row in a table).
Key: Used to define a necessary item.
Primary Key: Uniquely identifies a record.
Foreign Key: A primary key from another table that specifies relationships.
Relationship: Linking two or more tables; describes an association among entities.

Summary of some salient DB terminologies

Column (attribute): Represents data characteristics (e.g., customer ID, name...).
Row (tuple): A row in a table holds data for one entity.
Primary key: A unique identifier for each record.

DB terminologies: Query

SELECT * FROM customers;

What is a Database Management System (DBMS)?

Software programs managing a database.
Stored, retrieve, and otherwise manage databases for applications and users.
Manages large amounts of data to optimise recording, updating, modifications, and securing data.

Database Management System Diagram

The diagram shows the relationship between a DBMS, the database, and the users, and how data is stored and accessed.

Why Database (DB) & DBMS?

Areas of database usage: Banking, airlines, universities, and credit card transactions; and sales.
Functions of DBMS: data storage and retrieval, managing metadata, limiting data repetition, supporting simultaneous data access, providing transactions, backup, and security features, and enforcing business rules.
Benefits: minimizing data redundancy, sharing data efficiently, enforcing data consistency and integrity, offering searching, security, privacy, and backup & recovery facilities.
Drawbacks: complexity, size, performance, and costs of conversion.

Advantages of DBMS

Minimize data redundancy: Data is stored only once, in a single database, in management systems, thus eliminating redundant data.
Data consistency: Data remains consistent and is updated to all users immediately when modifying any database values.
Data integrity: Data integrity means unification of so many files into a single file. In DBMSs data is stored in different tables that are linked to each other. Users can easily input data and associate it. DBMS allows maintaining data integrity to decrease data duplication and inconsistency.
Search capability: Rapid data retrieval to meet user queries.
Security: Data protection.
Privacy: Extent of data access by users is determined by database administrators (DBA).
Simplicity: Data can be viewed in a clear and simple manner.
Backup and recovery: Automated backups and recovery of databases if there is a system failure during data processing.
Development of new applications: Easy to develop new applications based on available data.
Performance: Improved performance in some situations by accessing data more quickly.
Maintenance cost: Lower maintenance cost.
Standards: Enforcement of data standards facilitates data migrations and the interchange of data.
Less chances of data loss. Data loss is limited due to security constraints imposed on the database.

Disadvantages of DBMS

Complexity: The complexity of DBMS programs/software is due to the provision of its expected functionalities (this also requires more skilled professionals to maintain and implement).
Size: The DBMS's extensive functionality and complexity leads to disk space and substantial memory requirements to run efficiently.
Performance: Some systems may now run slower than previously, but this can be addressed by adjusting the system and DBA expertise.
Costs of Conversion: Costly to convert existing systems to run on a newer DBMS.
Additional Hardware costs: The larger storage demands of a DBMS might require the addition of further hardware.

DBMS Terminology Summary

Entity: A thing (object) about which data is stored.
Attribute (Field): Description of an entity.
Key: Unique value to identify a record.
Primary Key: Identifies a row in a table.
Foreign Key: A primary key linking one table to another, for relationship.
Record (Tuple): A row in the table.
Relations: Tables in a database.

Activity 2.1

Discuss the challenges and benefits of database management software.
Identify any three (3) drawbacks of DBMS, discuss how they can be mitigated.

Data Storage & File Structures

Several types of data storage exist, categorised by speed, cost, and reliability.
Secondary storage devices (e.g., magnetic tapes, hard disks, optical disks, solid-state drives) are used from storing data permanently, even when power is switched off, unlike main memory.

File Organisation

File is a collection of data, usually stored on disk (a logical entity).
File organization is the methodology used to store data.
- Heap file organization: Simplest, records ordered as they are inserted.
Hash file organization: Records distributed randomly using a hash function to calculate addresses.
Indexed sequential access method (ISAM): Sequential storage with extra indexes for quicker access.
B+ tree organization: Efficient for large datasets with complex retrieval needs; internal nodes used for indexing and leaf nodes for data.
Clustered tables organization: Tables stored together in a group where common columns share space.

File Access & File Structures

Sequential access: Reading and writing data in the order it is stored.
Direct access: Access to data records with specific record numbers.
Stream access: Accessing data without specific record structures; sequential access to bytes addressed by a positive integer.

File systems

A method to organize files on physical storage devices.
Examples include Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, PlayStation, Xbox systems.
Different file systems have different strengths and capabilities for handling data.

Database Development Process

Enterprise data modeling (EDM): Creating an overall blueprint of organizational data.
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC): An approach used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems with phases: Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, and Maintenance.
Database Development Lifecycle (DBDLC): A life cycle specific for databases, with six phases: Database initial study, database design, implementation and loading, testing and evaluation, operation, and maintenance and evaluation.
Prototyping: Creating a working model to gain user feedback and improve system design.

CASE Tools

Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) Tools: Tools aiding in database design and application programming to enhance productivity.
Enhance efficiency in designing databases; generate codes.
Help in analysis, diagramming, and documentation of database models.
Front-end CASE tools: focus on designing database models; back-end CASE tools help in generating database-related codes.

Data Models

A representation of data objects, their characteristics, interactions, and types.
Data models are important for database design and can be classified into various categories to satisfy different needs.
Hierarchical, Network, Relational, Semantic, and Object-Oriented are the types.

Normalization

The process of organizing data in a database to avoid redundant data and anomalies.
Normalization works in a series of stages (normal forms; 1NF, 2NF, 3NF).
1NF ensures all columns are atomic (unbreakable into further parts).
2NF ensures no non-key attribute depends on only part of the primary key.
3NF removes transitive dependencies from non-key attributes.

Denormalization

The process of adding redundancy to a database schema in order to improve performance (which might be slower when heavily normalized).
Useful when frequent data retrieval queries are essential.

Deadlock

A situation in a database where two or more processes are waiting indefinitely for each other to release a resource that they both need.
Deadlocks can be detected via methods (like a timeout period) and resolved by either preempting or aborting a process.

Activity 8.1

Explain what a deadlock is in the context of relational database management.
Provide an example and explanation of a deadlock in a database.
Explain Coffman's four conditions required to maintain a deadlock prevention strategy.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Database Management Systems (DBMS) and understand their advantages, functions, and performance improvements. This quiz covers key concepts including data loss prevention, application development, and file organization.