Chapter 7
A
A "many" maximum cardinality is noted on the E-R diagram by: A placing a crow's foot notation near the entity B placing a zero through the line near the entity C using a double ellipse near the entity D placing two slash marks near the entity E using brackets
B
A candidate key that has been selected as the unique, identifying characteristic for an entity type is called a(n): A attribute B identifier C secondary key D gerund E index
A
A collection of entities that share common properties of characteristics best defines: A entity type B entity instance C entity occurrence D entity collection E data set
T
A deliverable from conceptual data modeling is a set of entries about data objects to be stored in the project dictionary or repository.
T
A faculty identification number could be used as an identifier.
F
A good number of alternatives to generate is five.
F
A join is an association between the instances of one or more entity types that is of interest to the organization.
T
A multivalued attribute is an attribute that may take on more than one value for each entity instance.
A
A named property or characteristic of an entity that is of interest to the organization defines: A attribute B relationship C instance D associative entity E data flow
A
A particular approach to developing an information system best describes: A design strategy B problem statement C requirements statement D scope E systems service request
D
A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment which the organization wishes to maintain data refers to a(n): A attribute B data element C relationship D entity E process
F
A plural relationship is a relationship that the data modeler chooses to model as entity type.
C
A product is an example of a(n): A data element B attribute C entity D relationship E process
B
A relationship between instances of two entity types is a: A unary relationship B binary relationship C ternary relationship D multiple occurrence E partnership occurrence
A
A relationship between the instances of one entity type is a: A unary relationship B binary relationship C ternary relationship D singular occurrence E partnership occurrence
T
A relationship must be turned into an associative entity when the associative entity has other relationships with entities besides the relationship that caused its creation.
C
A renewal is an example of a(n): A data element B attribute C entity D relationship E action stub
T
A repeating group is asset of two or more multivalued attributes that are logically related.
C
A set of two or more multivalued attributes that are logically related defines: A relationship B associative entity C repeating group D class E repeating entity
A
A single occurrence of an entity type defines: A entity instance B entity appearance C attribute D data element E multivalued attribute
F
A ternary relationship is a relationship between instances of one entity type.
F
A ternary relationship is the equivalent of three binary relationships.
C
A ternary relationship occurs when a simultaneous relationship exists among instances of: A the same entity B two entity types C three entity types D four entity types E nine entity types
T
A true data entity will have many possible instances, each with a distinguishing characteristic, as well as one or more other descriptive pieces of data.
F
An analyst would ask, "What must we know about each object in order to run a business?" in order to determine relationships, their cardinality, and degrees.
B
An association between the instances of one or more entity types that is of interest to the organization best defines: A occurrence B relationship C natural connection D cardinality E entity link
C
An attribute (or combination of attributes) that uniquely identifies each instance of an entity type defines: A data element occurrence B trigger C candidate key D associative entity E data marker
B
An attribute that can have more than one value for each entity instance is referred to as: A a gerund B a multivalued attribute C a nonexclusive attribute D a data replica E composite attribute
T
An entity is a person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data.
A
An ideal number of alternatives to generate is: A 3 B 2 C 4 D 5 E 7
T
An identifier is a candidate key that has been selected as the unique, identifying characteristic for an entity type.
T
An order number is a good example of a candidate key.
T
Analysts should consider substituting single-attribute surrogate keys for large composite keys.
F
Analysts should use intelligent keys as identifiers.
A
Asking system users and business managers, "What are the subjects of the business?" would help determine: A the data entities and their descriptions B the candidate key C attributes and secondary keys D relationships and their cardinality and degrees E integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data
B
Asking system users and managers, "Who is responsible for establishing legitimate values for these data?" helps determine: A the candidate key B security controls and understanding who really knows the meaning of data C relationships and their cardinality and degrees D attributes and secondary keys E integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data.
T
Book, supplier, and state are examples of entity types.
T
Cardinality is the number of instances of entity B that can (or must) be associated with each instance of entity A.
F
Conceptual data modeling for an Internet-based electronic commerce application differs significantly from the process followed when analyzing the data needs for other types of applications.
C
Conceptual data modeling is typically done in parallel with other requirements analysis and structuring steps during: A systems planning and selection B systems design C systems analysis D systems implementation and operation E systems evaluation
F
Cost is the primary focus of high-end alternatives.
A
During systems analysis: A a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes is prepared B a logical model (relational) is prepared C physical files and database designs are prepared D an enterprise-wide data model is prepared E database and file definitions are prepared
F
During the designing the human interface step of the design phase, you would enumerate different potential implementation environments that could be used to deliver the different sets of capabilities.
D
During which of the following steps will you bring the current phase to a close, prepare a report and presentation to management concerning continuation of the project, and get ready to move the project into design? A Designing the human interface B Requirements determination C Project initiation and planning D Alternative generation and selection E Requirements structuring
T
Employee identification number, name, address, and skill are examples of attributes.
B
Enumerating different potential implementation environments that could be used to deliver the different sets of capabilities occurs during the: A requirements structuring step of the analysis phase B shaping alternative system design strategies phase C testing step of the implementation and operation phase D project initiation and planning step of the planning and selection phase E designing the human interface step of the design phase
F
Essential features are those that everyone agrees are necessary to solve the problem or meet the opportunity.
C
Features that everyone agrees are necessary to solve the problem or meet opportunity are called: A desired features B essential features C mandatory features D minimum features E requested features
F
Ideally, each data store on a primitive data-flow diagram will be an individual attribute.
A
Identifying mandatory features by surveying users and other stakeholders who have been involved in requirements determination would occur: A near the end of the analysis phase, after all requirements have been structured and analyzed B near the end of the project identification and selection phase, after a formal requested to conduct a project to design and develop an information systems solution has been approved C during the logical design phase, while detailed function specifications of all data, forms, reports, screens, and processing rules for all aspects of the system are prepared D during systems planning and selection E during systems implementation and operation
C
If STUDENT and COURSE participate in a relationship, this is an example of a(n): A unary relationship B coupled relationship C binary relationship D ternary relationship E extraordinary relationship
B
If each employee can have more than one skill, then skill is referred to as a: A gerund B multivalued attribute C nonexclusive attribute D repeating attribute E data replica
C
If entity B is a mandatory participant, then: A the minimum cardinality of the relationship is two B the minimum cardinality of the relationship cannot be defined C the minimum cardinality of the relationship is one D the minimum cardinality of the relationship is optional E the join level is not null
T
In order to determine the integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data, an analyst might ask, "Are values for data characteristics limited in any way?"
F
In theory, if there are four sets of requirements, three implementation environments, and four sources of application software, then there would be thirty-six possible design strategies.
B
In theory, if there are four sources of software, two implementation environments, and three sets of requirements, how many design strategies are possible? A 4 B 24 C 9 D 2 E 27
T
In theory, if there are six sets of requirements, four implementation environments, and five sources of application software, then there would be one hundred twenty possible design strategies.
B
On an entity-relationship diagram, a rectangle represents a(n): A data flow B entity C multivalued attribute D repeating group E relationship
B
On an entity-relationship diagram, the entity's identifier is: A identified by using a double-lined ellipse B underlined on an E-R diagram C bold on an E-R diagram D written in all capital letters on an E-R diagram E placed in italics
T
One way to handle repeating data within an entity is to separate the repeating data into another entity, called a weak entity.
F
Processes, rather than data, are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems.
T
Relationships are labeled with verb phrases.
C
Reviewing computer screens, reports, and business forms for the purpose of gaining an understanding of data is indicative of the: A investigative approach B business approach C bottom-up approach D top-down approach E conceptual approach
F
Since a name represents a set of entities, it is plural on an entity-relationship diagram.
F
Social security number, last name, and first name are examples of entity types.
B
The alternative that goes beyond simply solving the problem in question and focuses instead on systems that contain many extra features users may desire is referred to as a: A low-end alternative B high-end alternative C quality-focused alternative D requirements-dependent alternative E constraints-dependent alternative
T
The characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports.
A
The data modeling perspective that derives the business rules for a data model from an intimate understanding of the nature of the business, rather than from any specific information requirements in screens, reports, or business forms, is referred to as the: A top-down approach B bottom-up approach C overview approach D business approach E conceptual approach
T
The goal of conceptual data modeling is to capture as much of the meaning of data as possible.
T
The minimum cardinality of a relationship is the minimum number of instances of entity B that may be associated with each instance of entity A.
B
The minimum number of instances of entity B that may be associated with each instance of entity A defines the: A degree of the relationship B minimum cardinality of the relationship C maximum cardinality of the relationship D domain of the relationship E join level
T
The minimum requirements for a new system are also its mandatory features.
D
The minimum requirements for the new system are called: A essential functions B desired features C minimum features D mandatory features E designated features
B
The most common format used for data modeling is: A state-transition diagramming B entity-relationship diagramming C process modeling D logic modeling E a flowchart
A
The most conservative solutions in terms of the effort, cost, and technology involved in developing a new system are: A low-end solutions B high-end solutions C mid-range solutions D constraint-dependent solutions E requirements-dependent solutions
T
The names of data stores on primitive-level data flow diagrams often correspond to the names of data entities in entity-relationship (E-R) diagrams.
D
The number of entity types that participate in a relationship refers to: A cardinality B association C count D degree E normalization
A
The number of instances of entity B that can (or must) be associated with each instance of eneity A refers to: A cardinality B domain C ternary occurrence D participation level E join level
T
The primary deliverable for the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is an entity-relationship diagram.
B
The primary deliverable from the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is: A a state-transition diagram B an entity-relationship diagram C a context data flow diagram D a decision table E Structured English
T
The purpose of the conceptual data model is to show as many rules about the meaning and interrelationships among data as possible.
F
The top-down approach to data modeling derives a data model by reviewing specific business documents
E
Vehicle identification number, color, weight, and horsepower best exemplify: A entities B entity types C data markers D identifiers E attributes
T
When referencing an employee entity, an employee's skills are an example of a multivalued attribute.
T
When selecting an identifier, one should choose a candidate key that will not change its value over the life of each instance of the entity type.
C
When selecting an identifier, one should: A use intelligent keys B use large composite keys instead of single-attribute surrogate keys C choose a candidate key that will not change its value over the life of each instance of the entity type D choose a candidate key such that for each instance of the entity, the attribute is guaranteed to have valid values or is null E choose a candidate key that allows for duplicate values
C
Which of the following is a true statement regarding high-end alternatives? A High-end alternative design strategies often do not involve computer technology: instead they focus on making paper flows more efficient or reducing redundancies in current processes B High-end alternative design strategies represent compromise solutions C Functionality is the primary focus of high-end alternative design strategies D High-end alternative design strategies provide all the required functionality users demand with a system that is minimally different from the current system E High-end alternative design strategies provide all the desired features using advanced technologies that often allow the system to expand to meet future requirements
B
Which of the following is a true statement regarding midrange alternatives? A Midrange alternative design strategies often do not involve computer technology: instead they focus on making paper flows more efficient or reducing redundancies in current processes B Midrange alternative design strategies represent compromise solutions C Functionality is the primary focus of midrange alternative design strategies D Midrange alternative design strategies provide all the required functionality users demand with a system that is minimally different from the current system E Midrange alternative design strategies provide all the desired features using advanced technologies that often allow the system to expand to meet future requirements
A
Which of the following is a true statement? A A data model explains what the organization does and what rules govern how work is done in the organization. B To construct a data model, you need to know how data are processed. C To construct a data model, you need to know when data are processed. D A data flow diagram graphically illustrates the structure and relationships among data items. E During conceptual modeling, the preparation of a Network diagram is necessary.
A
Which of the following is a true statement? A Mandatory features screen out possible solutions; essential features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies. B Essential features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies C Mandatory features screen out possible solutions; essential features are those that users could live without D Essential features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are those that users could live without E Desired features screen out possible solutions; mandatory features are the important capabilities of a system that will serve as the primary basis for comparison of different design strategies
C
Which of the following types of alternatives represent compromise solutions? A low-end alternatives B high-end alternatives C midrange alternatives D requirements-dependent alternatives E constraints-dependent alternatives
F
in order to determine security controls and understand who really knows the meaning of data, an analyst might ask, "What natural activities or transactions of the business involve handling data about several objects of the same or different type?"
F
A primary key should be null.
F
A unary relationship is the most common type of relationship encountered in data modeling.
T
An entity instance is a single occurrence of an entity type.
A
Gathering the information you need for data modeling by reviewing specific business documents handled within the system describes the: A bottom-up approach B conceptual approach C top-down approach D investigative approach E business approach.
F
Use a verb or verb phrase to name an entity.
