ISE 224 #1
Why do we say a database is "self-describing" and why is this an advantage?
A database is considered self-describing because it contains a description of its own structure within the database itself. This description is called the metadata, and it is stored in specialized tables in relational databases. The advantage is that the database is self-documenting, and that a knowledgeable user or a database designer can easily access the metadata. All DBMS vendors provide tools to access the metadata within their products.
What are "referential integrity constraints"? Give an example.
A referential integrity constraint is a rule that restricts certain actions on the database data. A referential integrity constraint is used to ensure that the values in a field in one table have matching tables in a corresponding field in another table. These constraints are enforced by the DBMS, which will not allow changes to the values of the database that would result in violations of this rule. For example, a database has an EMPLOYEE table and a VEHICLE table that are used to store data on employees and the vehicles that they are assigned to drive. The EMPLOYEE table has a column called EmployeeID that is used to distinguish one employee record from another. The VEHICLE table also has an EmployeeID column that is used to associate a vehicle with the appropriate employee. A referential integrity constraint could be used to prevent a vehicle from being assigned to an employee with an EmployeeID that does not appear in the EMPLOYEE table by requiring that all values in EmployeeID in the VEHICLE table have a matching value in EmployeeID in the EMPLOYEE table.
A program whose job is to create, process and administer databases is called a ________. A) Database Modeling System B) Database Management System C) Data Business Model System D) Relational Model Manager E) Data Business Management Service
B) Database Management System
A Customer Resource Management (CRM) system is an example of a(n) ________. A) single-user database application B) multiuser database application C) e-commerce database application D) A or B E) Any of A, B, or C
B) Multiuser database application
In an enterprise-class database system, reports are created by ________. A) the user B) the database application C) the database management system (DBMS) D) the database E) All of the above
B) The database application
A database designed to implement requirements for a reporting application needed by the Sales department is a database being designed ________. A) from existing non-database data B) as a new systems development project C) as a redesign of an existing database D) A and B E) A, B, and C
B) as a new systems development project
Business organizations have resisted adopting object-oriented database systems because the cost of purchasing OODBMS packages is prohibitively high.
False
Database design is important and fortunately it is simple to do
False
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an example of a data mining application
False
In Microsoft Access, you can use the Oracle DBMS in a place of the ABE DBMS
False
In a database system, applications write data to the database.
False
In a database, each row in a spreadsheet has data about a particular instance.
False
In an Enterprise-class database system, a database system accesses the database data
False
In an Enterprise-class database system, business users interact directly with the DBMS, which directly accesses the database data.
False
In every database, not just the databases discussed in this book, table names are capitalized
False
Microsoft Access is just a DBMS
False
Paradox is the only major survivor of the "bloodbath of PC DBMS products."
False
Sequenced Query Language (SQL) is an internationally recognized standard language that is understood by all commercial database management system products.
False
Small databases typically have simple structures
False
The CODASYL DBTG mode structured data relationships as a tree structure.
False
The DBMS ranked as being the "easiest to use" in the text is Microsoft's SQL Server.
False
The DBMS ranked as having the "most power and features" in the text is IBM's DB2
False
The database application is responsible for concurrence control
False
The database is called "self-describing" because it reduces data duplication
False
The largest databases in e-commerce are the order entry databases
False
dBase was the first PC-based DBMS to implement true relational algebra on a PC.
False
A database system as typically defined can be modified to include CODASYL.
False
XML Web services allow database processing to be shared across the Internet.
True
A sales contact manager used by a salesperson is an example of a(n) ________. A) single-user database application B) multiuser database application C) e-commerce database application D) A or B E) Any of A, B, or C
A) Single-user database application
81) Database professionals use ________ as specific data sources for studies and analyses. A) data marts B) normalization C) data models D) entity-relationship data modeling E) data migration
A) data marts
The predecessor(s) of database processing was (were) ________. A) file managers B) hierarchical models C) network models D) the relational data model E) All of the above were predecessors of database processing.
A) file managers
A database designed using spreadsheets from the Sales department is a database being designed ________. A) from existing data B) as a new systems development project C) as a redesign of an existing database D) A and B E) A, B, and C
A) from existing data
The purpose of a database is to: A) help people keep track of things. B) store data in tables. C) create tables of rows and columns. D) maintain data on different things in different tables. E) All of the above.
A) help people keep track of things.
Database professionals use a set of principles called ________ to guide and assess database design. A) data marts B) normalization C) data models D) entity-relationship data modeling E) data migration
B) normalization
Modern microcomputer personal DBMS products ________. A) are supplied by several well-established manufacturers B) were essentially made obsolete by Microsoft Access C) have poor response time D) are not true DBMS products E) are really just programming languages with generalized file-processing capabilities
B) were essentially made obsolete by Microsoft Access
The industry standard supported by all major DBMSs that allows tables to be joined together is called ________. A) Sequential Query Language (SQL) B) Structured Question Language (SQL) C) Structured Query Language (SQL) D) Relational Question Language (RQL) E) Relational Query Language (RQL)
C) Structured Query Language (SQL)
For database development, the most important Web-related technology to emerge in recent years is: A) FTP. B) HTTP. C) XML. D) OODBMS. E) All of the above.
C) XML.
80) A database designed to combine two databases used by the Sales department is a database being designed ________. A) from existing data B) as a new systems development project C) as a redesign of an existing database D) A and B E) A, B, and C
C) as a redesign of an existing database
An online drugstore such as Drugstore.com is an example of a(n) ________. A) single-user database application B) multiuser database application C) e-commerce database application D) A or B E) Any of A, B, or C
C) e-commerce database application
A database is considered "self-describing" because ________. A) all the users' data is in one place B) it reduces data duplication C) it contains a description of its own structure D) it contains a listing of all the programs that use it E) All of the above
C) it contains a description of its own structure
For database development, a challenge to the relational model and the use of SQL. This challenge is known as: A) the Web services movement. B) the NoSQL movement. C) the SOAP movement. D) the NoSOAP movement. E) the UDDI movement.
C) the SOAP movement.
Microsoft Access may use which of the following DBMS engines? A) ADE B) SQL Server C) Oracle D) A and B E) A, B, and C
D) ADE and SQL Server
A database consists of integrated tables, which store ________. A) data B) relationships among the data C) forms D) A and B E) All of the above
D) Data and relationships among the data
A database records: A) facts. B) figures. C) information. D) A and B E) A, B, and C
D) Facts and figures
What are the three types of database design situations?
Database designs can be based on (1) existing data, (2) new systems development and (3) database redesign. Database designs from existing data may be based on data in spreadsheets or other data tables, or on data extracted from other databases. New systems development gathers user requirements for needed applications and designs a database to meet those requirements. Database redesign may be needed to migrate existing databases to a newer DBMS, or to integrate multiple existing databases.
Microsoft Access includes: A) a DBMS. B) an application generator. C) a Web server. D) A and B E) A, B, and C
D) a DBMS and an applicational generator
In database systems, the DBMS enforces rules about which user can perform which action when. The rules are known as ________. A) data insertion control B) data modification control C) data reading control D) concurrency control E) referential integrity constraints
D) concurrency control
A very popular development technique used by database professionals for database design is known as ________. A) data marts B) normalization C) data models D) entity-relationship data modeling E) data migration
D) entity-relationship data modeling
A database design is rarely a redesign of an existing database
False
A database is a self-describing collection of non-integrated tables
False
In an enterprise-class database system, ________. A) the database application(s) interact(s) with the DBMS B) the database application(s) access(es) the database data C) the DBMS accesses the database data D) A and B E) A and C
E) A and C
A database may be designed ________. A) from existing data B) as a new systems development project C) as a redesign of an existing database D) A and B E) A, B, and C
E) A, B, and C
A database may contain ________. A) tables B) metadata C) triggers D) stored procedures E) All of the above
E) All of the above
In database systems, the DBMS ________. A) inserts data B) modifies data C) reads data D) deletes data E) All of the above
E) All of the above
In database systems, the database ________. A) holds user data B) holds metadata C) holds indexes D) holds stored procedures E) All of the above
E) All of the above
The relational model ________. A) was first proposed in 1970 B) was developed by E. F. Codd C) was developed at IBM D) resulted in the DBMS product DB2 E) All of the above
E) All of the above
Which of the following are basic components of an enterprise-class database system? A) The user B) The database application C) The database management system (DBMS) D) The database E) All of the above
E) All of the above
Business organizations have resisted adopting object-oriented database management systems because ________. A) object-oriented programming uses simplified data structures that fit easily into relational databases B) the cost of purchasing OODBMS packages is prohibitively high C) the cost of converting data from relational databases to OODBMSs is too high D) most large organizations have older applications that are not based on object oriented programming E) C and D
E) C and D
In an enterprise-class database system, the database application ________. A) creates queries B) creates forms C) creates reports D) A and B E) B and C
E) Creates forms and reports
A database stores: A) data. B) relationships. C) metadata. D) A and B E) A, B, and C
E) Data, relationships and metadata
A very popular development technique used by database professionals to adopt a database design to a new or changing requirement is known as ________. A) data marts B) normalization C) data models D) entity-relationship data modeling E) data migration
E) data migration
In database systems, the DBMS enforces rules about which data can be written in certain columns. The rules are known as ________. A) data insertion control B) data modification control C) data reading control D) concurrency control
E) referential integrity constraints
What is "metadata" and how does it relate to the definition of a database?
Metadata is data about the structure of the database itself. This includes data about the names of all the tables in the database, the names of all the columns in each of the tables, the data type of each column in each table, the properties of the tables and the columns, etc. Metadata accounts for the "self-describing" aspect of the definition of a database as a "self-describing collection of integrated tables."
Briefly describe the function of the DBMS in a database system.
The DBMS creates the database and the tables and structures within it. The DBMS also reads and updates the database data. It receives requests from application programs to perform data maintenance tasks. These requests are translated into actions that are performed on the database. In addition to maintaining the user data within the database, the DBMS also maintains the database structures. The DBMS also enforces any rules that have been defined to govern the values of the data, such as data type requirements and referential integrity constraints. The DBMS controls concurrency issues, which deal with the unwanted interruption of one user's work by another user's work. As the only point of entry into the database, the DBMS also provides security for the database to restrict users' access to only the data that they have authority to read or modify. Finally, the DBMS is responsible for the creation of backup copies of the database data and for restoring the database in case a recovery is required.
Briefly describe the function of an application program in a database system.
The application program is responsible for creating and processing forms. The application displays the form to the user, allows the user to complete the data entry, evaluates the form to determine which data management tasks need to be performed, and transmits the appropriate requests to the DBMS. The application creates and transmits queries. The queries are requests for data that are created in a language like SQL, and transmitted to the DBMS to have the requested data returned to the application program. The application also creates and processes reports. The query to retrieve the necessary data for the report is sent to the DBMS. When the DBMS returns the needed data, the application manipulates it as necessary to create the requested report. The application program also applies application logic to control the manipulation of data in accordance with the business rules. Finally, the application program is responsible for providing control. Control must be exercised to allow the users to make choices for functions and tasks as appropriate for their jobs. Also, control must be exercised to manage the activities of the DBMS.
What components are included in a database?
The database contains user data, metadata, indexes and other overhead data, and application metadata. User data is the data from the user's environment that they want to track. Metadata is data about the structure of the database. Indexes and other overhead data are structures that the database uses to improve performance. Finally, the application metadata is data about forms, reports, and other application components that some databases, particularly those created with desktop DBMS products, store with the database.
What are the four components of a database system?
The four components in a database system are: the user, the database application, the database management system (DBMS) and the database. The user interacts with the database application, which interacts with the DBMS, which controls the database. The functions of the database application include creating and processing forms, creating and transmitting queries and creating and processing reports. The DBMS creates databases, tables and supporting structures, manages database data, enforces rules and provides security. The database stores the user data, the database metadata, indexes, triggers, stored procedures and application metadata.
Briefly describe the history of database processing.
The predecessor of database processing was file processing, where data were maintained on magnetic tape. Database processing as we know it today became possible with the availability of direct access disk storage in the 1960s. Using this storage, both the hierarchical data model and then the network data model were developed. In 1970, E. F. Codd of IBM proposed the relational model, which is the standard model used today. Current DBMSs such as DB2, Oracle and SQL Server are based on the relational model. The appearance of microcomputer-based DBMSs in the 1980s led to a "bloodbath" from which Microsoft Access emerged as the dominant PC workstation DBMS. More recent events include the introduction of object-oriented DBMSs (OODBMSs), and the development of tools such as XML to allow the use of database systems over the Internet.
What is the purpose of a database, and how does the database accomplish this purpose?
The purpose of a database is to help people keep track of things. It accomplishes this purpose by storing data in tables. Each table has rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet. A database usually has multiple tables in order to keep track of different but related things. For example, we might have a CUSTOMER table to keep track of customers and a PRODUCT table to keep track of the things we sell. Each row in each table holds data about a particular instance, i.e., one customer or one product. The database also stores the links between the tables, so that we can track which customers bought which products (note: this will require an additional table if one customer can buy more than one product and one product can be sold to more than one customer).
A database design may be part of a new systems development project
True
A database management system (DBMS) creates, processes and administers databases
True
A database shows data in tables and the relationships among the rows in those tables
True
A database system is typically defined as its four components: users, database applications, the DBMS and the databases.
True
All database applications get and put database data by sending SQL statements to the DBMS.
True
Applications are computer programs used directly by users.
True
Bill Gates has said that "XML is the lingua-franca of the Internet Age."
True
Data Language/I (DL/I) structures data relationships as a tree structure
True
Data is recorded facts and figures; information is knowledge derived from data
True
Databases are a key component of e-commerce order entry, billing, shipping and customer support
True
Databases record data in such a way that they can produce information
True
In a database processing system, indexes are held by the database management system (DBMS).
True
In a database, each table stores data about a different type of thing.
True
In an Enterprise-class database system, a database application interacts with the DBMS
True
In database systems, indexes are held by the database
True
Information systems that stored groups of records in separate files were called file processing systems.
True
Integrated tables store both data and the relationships among the data
True
Microsoft Access is a low-end product intended for individuals and small workgroups
True
Referential integrity constraints are rules about what data values are allowed in certain columns.
True
The 1977 edition of this text contained a chapter on the relational model, and that chapter was reviewed by E. F. Codd.
True
The DBMS ranked as being the "most difficult to use" in the text is Oracle Corporation's Oracle Database.
True
The DBMS ranked as having the "least power and features" in the text is Microsoft Access.
True
The NoSQL movement should really be called a NoRelational movement.
True
The current DBMS engine in Microsoft Access is called ADE
True
The database management system (DBMS) is responsible for enforcing referential integrity constraints.
True
The database management system (DBMS) is responsible for inserting, modifying, reading, and deleting data.
True
The description of a database's structure that is stored within the database itself is called the "metadata."
True
The e-commerce companies use Web activity databases to determine which items on a Web page are popular and successful.
True
The first relational model was proposed in 1970 by E.F. Codd at IBM
True
The purpose of a database is to help people keep track of things.
True
Twitter and Facebook use NoSQL databases.
True
