CPSC 231 Midterm Review

A constraint is a rule in a database system that can be violated by users. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

A file organization is a named portion of primary memory. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

A synonym is an attribute that may have more than one meaning. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

A transversal dependency is a functional dependency between two or more nonkey attributes. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

An extent is a named portion of secondary memory allocated for the purpose of storing physical records. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

Denormalization is the process of transforming relations with variable-length fields into those with fixed-length fields. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

Generalization is a top-down process. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

The internal schema consists of the physical schema and the enterprise data model. Select one: a. False b. True

a. False

Which of the following is an entity that exists independently of other entity types? Select one: a. Strong b. Weak c. Variant d. Codependent

a. Strong

Which of the following is a generic entity type that has a relationship with one or more subtypes? Select one: a. Supertype b. Megatype c. Class d. Subgroup

a. Supertype

A candidate key is an attribute, or combination of attributes, that uniquely identifies a row in a relation. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A data warehouse contains summarized and historical information. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A good data definition is always accompanied by diagrams, such as the entity-relationship diagram. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A partial functional dependency is a functional dependency in which one or more nonkey attributes are functionally dependent on part (but not all) of the primary key. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A physical schema contains the specifications for how data from a conceptual schema are stored in a computer's secondary memory. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A primary key is an attribute that uniquely identifies each row in a relation. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

A single occurrence of an entity is called an entity instance. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

One property of a relation is that each attribute within a relation has a unique name. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

The relationship between the instances of two entity types is called a binary relationship. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

When two or more attributes describe the same characteristic of an entity, they are synonyms. Select one: a. True b. False

a. True

An entity cluster is: Select one: a. a set of one or more entity types and associated relationships grouped into a single abstract entity type. b. a useful way to present data for a small and fairly simple organization. c. a way of developing more granular views of the data model. d. a formal method for specifying attributes of related entities.

a. a set of one or more entity types and associated relationships grouped into a single abstract entity

The SDLC phase in which the detailed conceptual data model is created is the ________ phase. Select one: a. analysis b. planning c. implementation d. design

a. analysis

A(n) ________ constraint is a type of constraint that addresses whether an instance of a supertype must also be an instance of at least one subtype. Select one: a. completeness b. weak c. overlap d. disjoint

a. completeness

The logical representation of an organization's data is called a(n): Select one: a. entity-relationship model. b. database model. c. database entity diagram. d. relationship systems design.

a. entity-relationship model

An attribute in a relation of a database that serves as the primary key of another relation in the same database is called a: Select one: a. foreign key. b. link attribute. c. link key. d. foreign attribute

a. foreign key

An attribute that may have more than one meaning is called a(n): Select one: a. homonym. b. double defined attribute. c. alias. d. synonym.

a. homonym

The SDLC phase in which database processing programs are created is the ________ phase. Select one: a. implementation b. design c. planning d. analysis

a. implementation

Data that describe the properties of other data are: Select one: a. metadata. b. physical. c. relationships. d. logical.

a. metadata

A functional dependency in which one or more nonkey attributes are functionally dependent on part, but not all, of the primary key is called a ________ dependency. Select one: a. partial functional b. cross key c. merged relation d. partial key-based

a. partial function

A two-dimensional table of data sometimes is called a: Select one: a. relation. b. declaration. c. group. d. set.

a. relation

A centralized knowledge base of all data definitions, data relationships, screen and report formats, and other system components is called a(n): Select one: a. repository. b. data warehouse. c. index. d. database management system.

a. repository

Packaged data models: Select one: a. require customization. b. are ready to use right out of the box. c. allow partial specialization. d. cannot be used for most applications.

a. require customization

A relation that contains minimal redundancy and allows easy use is considered to be: Select one: a. well-structured. b. simple. c. clean. d. complex.

a. well-structured

A default value is the value that a field will always assume, regardless of what the user enters for an instance of that field. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

A ternary relationship is equivalent to three binary relationships. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

Creating a data model from a packaged data model requires much more skill than creating one from scratch. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

Reduced uptime is a disadvantage of partitioning. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

The degree of a relationship is the number of attributes that are associated with it. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

There can be multivalued attributes in a relation. Select one: a. True b. False

b. False

In which type of file is multiple key retrieval not possible? Select one: a. Clustered b. Hashed c. Sequential d. Indexed

b. Hashed

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of database systems? Select one: a. Better data quality b. Redundant data c. Reduced program maintenance d. Program-data independence

b. Redundant data

________ are established between entities in a well-structured database so that the desired information can be retrieved. Select one: a. Entities b. Relationships c. Lines d. Ties

b. Relationships

The traditional methodology used to develop, maintain and replace information systems is called the: Select one: a. Enterprise Resource Model. b. Systems Development Life Cycle. c. Systems Deployment Life Cycle. d. Unified Model.

b. Systems Development Life Cycle

A referential integrity constraint is a rule that maintains consistency among the rows of two relations. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

A tablespace is a named set of disk storage elements in which physical files for the database tables may be stored. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

Data structures include data organized in the form of tables with rows and columns. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

It is desirable that no two attributes across all entity types have the same name. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

Packaged data models are as flexible as possible, because all supertype/subtype relationships allow the total specialization and overlap rules. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

Security is one advantage of partitioning. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

The external schema contains a subset of the conceptual schema relevant to a particular group of users. Select one: a. False b. True

b. True

An alternative name for an attribute is called a(n): Select one: a. alternate attribute. b. alias. c. related characteristic. d. synonym.

b. alias

A property or characteristic of an entity type that is of interest to the organization is called a(n): Select one: a. coexisting entity. b. attribute. c. cross-function. d. relationship.

b. attribute

An attribute that can be broken down into smaller parts is called a(n) ________ attribute. Select one: a. simple b. composite c. complex d. associative

b. composite

An attribute that uniquely identifies an entity and consists of a composite attribute is called a(n): Select one: a. identifying attribute. b. composite identifier. c. composite attribute. d. relationship identifier.

b. composite identifier

A graphical system used to capture the nature and relationships among data is called a(n): Select one: a. relational database b. data model. c. XML data model. d. hypertext graphic.

b. data model

A detailed coding scheme recognized by system software for representing organizational data is called a(n): Select one: a. DBMS code. b. data type. c. DB layout. d. SQL.

b. data type

The value a field will assume unless the user enters an explicit value for an instance of that field is called a: Select one: a. null value. b. default value. c. range control. d. gurand.

b. default value

A constraint between two attributes is called a(n): Select one: a. attribute dependency. b. functional dependency. c. functional relation. d. functional relation constraint.

b. functional dependency

A database is an organized collection of ________ related data. Select one: a. loosely b. logically c. badly d. physically

b. logically

A student can attend five classes, each with a different professor. Each professor has 30 students. The relationship of students to professors is a ________ relationship. Select one: a. strong b. many-to-many c. one-to-many d. one-to-one

b. many-to-many

The ________ rule specifies that an entity instance of a supertype is allowed not to belong to any subtype. Select one: a. disjointedness b. partial specialization c. total specialization d. semi-specialization

b. partial specialization

An attribute that must have a value for every entity (or relationship) instance is a(n): Select one: a. multivalued attribute. b. required attribute. c. composite attribute. d. optional attribute.

b. required attribute

The ________ rule specifies that each entity instance of the supertype must be a member of some subtype in the relationship. Select one: a. total convergence b. total specialization c. partial specialization d. semi-specialization

b. total specialization

A generic or template data model that can be reused as a starting point for a data modeling project is called a(n): Select one: a. packaged data model. b. universal data model. c. collection data model. d. enterprise data model.

b. universal data model

A(n) ________ is often developed by identifying a form or report that a user needs on a regular basis. Select one: a. enterprise view b. user view c. user snapshot d. reporting document

b. user view

An entity type whose existence depends on another entity type is called a ________ entity. Select one: a. variant b. weak c. strong d. codependent

b. weak

A relatively small team of people who collaborate on the same project is called a: Select one: a. data collaborative. b. workgroup. c. typical arrangement. d. server group.

b. workgroup

________ is a component of the relational data model included to specify business rules to maintain the integrity of data when they are manipulated. Select one: a. Business rule constraint b. Data structure c. Data integrity d. Business integrity

c. Data integrity

Which of the following is software used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to databases? Select one: a. Network operating system b. User view c. Database management system (DBMS) d. Attribute

c. Database management system (DBMS)

Which of the following are properties of relations? Select one: a. Each attribute has the same name. b. All columns are numeric. c. No two rows in a relation are identical. d. There are multivalued attributes in a relation.

c. No two rows in a relation are identical

A ________ defines or constrains some aspect of the business. Select one: a. business constraint b. business control c. business rule d. business structure

c. business rule

A primary key that consists of more than one attribute is called a: Select one: a. foreign key. b. multivalued key. c. composite key. d. cardinal key.

c. composite key

A primary key whose value is unique across all relations is called a(n): Select one: a. inter-table primary key. b. foreign global key. c. enterprise key. d. global primary key.

c. enterprise key

A disadvantage of partitioning is: Select one: a. simplicity. b. shorter technology spans. c. extra space and update time. d. remote optimization.

c. extra space and update time

When all multivalued attributes have been removed from a relation, it is said to be in: Select one: a. second normal form. b. third normal form. c. first normal form. d. Boyce-Codd normal form.

c. first normal form

One field or combination of fields for which more than one record may have the same combination of values is called a(n): Select one: a. index. b. composite key. c. secondary key. d. linked key.

c. secondary key

The process of defining one or more subtypes of a supertype and forming relationships is called: Select one: a. generalization. b. selecting classes. c. specialization. d. creating discord.

c. specialization

Data is represented in the form of: Select one: a. data trees. b. data notes. c. tables. d. chairs.

c. tables

Which of the following criteria should be considered when selecting an identifier? Select one: a. Choose a null identifier. b. Choose an identifier that is not stable. c. Choose the most complex identifier possible. d. Choose an identifier that doesn't have large composite attributes

d. Choose an identifier that doesn't have large composite attributes

________ is the most popular RDMS data model notation. Select one: a. END b. DRE c. RED d. ERD

d. ERD

Which type of file is most efficient with storage space? Select one: a. Clustered b. Indexed c. Hashed d. Sequential

d. Sequential

________ is a tool even non-programmers can use to access information from a database. Select one: a. ODBC b. Data manipulation query language c. ASP d. Structured query language

d. Structured query language

The SDLC phase in which every data attribute is defined, every category of data is listed and every business relationship between data entities is defined is called the ________ phase. Select one: a. planning b. design c. implementation d. analysis

d. analysis

The property by which subtype entities possess the values of all attributes of a supertype is called: Select one: a. generalization. b. class management. c. hierarchy reception. d. attribute inheritance.

d. attribute inheritance

A method to allow adjacent secondary memory space to contain rows from several tables is called: Select one: a. compiling. b. concatenating. c. cluttering. d. clustering.

d. clustering

Organizing the database in computer disk storage is done in the ________ phase. Select one: a. implementation b. maintenance c. analysis d. design

d. design

The ________ rule specifies that an entity can be a member of only one subtype at a time. Select one: a. inclusion b. exclusion c. removal d. disjoint

d. disjoint

A ________ addresses whether an instance of a supertype may simultaneously be a member of two or more subtypes. Select one: a. partial specialization b. disjoint rule c. total specialization d. disjointedness constraint

d. disjointedness constraint

An advantage of partitioning is: Select one: a. extra space and update time. b. increase redundancy. c. remote optimization. d. efficiency.

d. efficiency

A person, place, object, event, or concept about which the organization wishes to maintain data is called a(n): Select one: a. attribute. b. relationship. c. object. d. entity.

d. entity

The process of defining a more general entity type from a set of more specialized entity types is called: Select one: a. normalization. b. extrapulation. c. specialization. d. generalization.

d. generalization

Older systems that often contain data of poor quality are called ________ systems. Select one: a. database b. mainframe c. controlled d. legacy

d. legacy

The entity integrity rule states that: Select one: a. a primary key must have only one attribute. b. referential integrity must be maintained across all entities. c. each entity must have a primary key. d. no primary key attribute can be null.

d. no primary key attribute can be null

In a supertype/subtype hierarchy, each subtype has: Select one: a. at most two supertypes. b. at least one subtype. c. many supertypes. d. only one supertype.

d. only one supertype

The ________ rule states that an entity instance can simultaneously be a member of two (or more) subtypes. Select one: a. partial specialization b. disjoint c. total specialization d. overlap

d. overlap

An attribute (or attributes) that uniquely identifies each row in a relation is called a: Select one: a. column. b. foreign field. c. duplicate key. d. primary key.

d. primary key

One of the most popular RAD methods is: Select one: a. structured walkthrough. b. crafting. c. automated design. d. prototyping.

d. prototyping

Relational databases establish the relationships between entities by means of common fields included in a file called a(n): Select one: a. relationship. b. association. c. entity. d. relation.

d. relation

An attribute of the supertype that determines the target subtype(s) is called the: Select one: a. subtype decision. b. disjoint indicator. c. determinant. d. subtype discriminator.

d. subtype discriminator

Subtypes should be used when: Select one: a. the instances of a subtype do not participate in a relationship that is unique to that subtype. b. a recursive relationship is needed. c. supertypes relate to objects outside the business. d. there are attributes that apply to some but not all instances of an entity type.

d. there are attributes that apply to some but not all instances of an entity type