Chapter 5

Of the following options, a database that is in ____ form has the best design.

3NF

A(n) ____ depicts user requirements for data stored in a database.

All of the above

The ____ concentrates on the process being performed with data playing a secondary or supporting role.

Applications approach

Which of the following statements is true of a network database model?

Both a and b

In an object-oriented database model, what types of objects can be stored through use of abstract data types, inheritance, and encapsulation?

Both simple and complex

Which of the following is not a function that a database management system performs?

Coordinates access to data stored in the applications program

The mapping of the relationships between entities would be used in the development of a(n):

E-R Diagram

A(n) ____ reflects a system's key entities and the relationship among them.

Entity-relationship diagram

A neural network is a software program that may be integrated into DSS or other software tools.

False (intelligent agents)

If attribute A determines a single value for attribute B at any time, we say that attribute B is ____.

Functionally dependent on attribute A

The ____ database model works well for simple data structures, but falls apart quickly when the data becomes more complex.

Hierarchial

A postal ZIP code is an example of which of the following coding schemes?

Hierarchical code

Data flows that mirror and monitor business operations are called ____ flows.

Horizontal information

Which of the following is the most likely coding scheme for college courses?

Mnemonic coding

____ databases include abstract data types that allow users to define characteristics of the data to be stored when developing an application.

Object-oriented

Which of the following is not a relationship type?

One-to-few

Which of the following advantages of the centralized database approach does not occur because of a reduction in data redundancy?

Reduced user and programmer training

A partial dependency happens when an attribute that is dependent on a portion of the primary key not on the entire key.

True

A relation that is in ____ form contains repeating attributes within each row or record.

Unnormalized

A resource, event, or agent about which data are collected is called:

an entity

The uniform product codes (UPC) used in supermarkets is a type of:

block code

Each relationship in an E-R diagram has a ____ that shows the degree to which each entity participates in the relationship.

cardinality

An extra character added to a numeric code as a device to test the accuracy of data entered into a computer system is called a:

check digit

Grouping or categorizing data according to common attributes is called:

classifying data

Decoupling the data from the system applications is a major difference between the centralized database approach and the applications approach and is known as:

data independence

The exploration, aggregation, and analysis of large quantities of varied data from across the organization is known as:

data mining

Running an applications approach to sales and inventory programs leads to:

data redundancy

The use of information systems facilities to focus on the collection, organization, integration, and long-term storage of entity-wide data is known as:

data warehousing

The computer software needed to implement a database approach to data management that is not needed with the applications approach to data management is:

database management system software

A decision maker prepares a presentation in a suitable format for a given decision at a given point in time when using a(n):

decision support system

In an entity-relationship diagram, ____ are used to show the characteristics of relationships.

diamonds

The information system which emulates the problem-solving techniques of humans is called a(n):

expert system

A database management system (DBMS) is a set of standalone programs designed to complicate the tasks of creating, accessing, and managing data.

false

Another name for sequential coding is block coding.

false

Group Support Systems (GSS) focus on such functions as e-mail, scheduling, and document sharing.

false

In a network database model, data are logically organized into two-dimensional tables.

false

Organizations adopting an events-driven system are focused on capturing data for the purpose of generating reports

false

The event-driven approach focuses on how users interact with business events and processes.

false

expert systems (ES) only work well for simple decisions

false

In a hierarchical database model, all record relationships are 3:N.

false (1:N)

A table is in second normal form (2NF), if it does not contain repeating groups.

false (1NF)

A relation is in third normal form (3NF) if it is in first normal form and no nonkey attribute is dependent on only a portion of the primary key.

false (2NF)

A table is in first normal form (1NF) if it has no partial dependencies; that is, no non-key attribute is dependent on only a portion of the primary key.

false (2NF)

Executive information systems use complex processing and calculations to determine a solution to a problem.

false (DDS)

The centralized database approach to data management concentrates on the process being performed, rather than on the data themselves.

false (applications approach)

The applications approach to data management decouples the data from the applications or other users of the data.

false (centralized approach)

An attribute is equivalent to a field and may also be known as a row.

false (column)

In the centralized database approach, data and applications are dependent on each other

false (interdependent)

Maximum cardinality is used to specify the minimum level of participation that one entity can have with another entity.

false (maximum)

Because it uses alphabetic characters, a sequential coding system is most understandable to human beings.

false (mnemonic coding)

An intelligent agent is a computer-based system of hardware and software that mimics the human brain's ability to recognize patterns or predict outcomes using less-than-complete information.

false (neural network)

A secondary key uniquely identifies any row within a relational table.

false (primary key)

A scanner is used to access a database and to produce inquiry reports.

false (query language)

Data redundancy allows non-technical users to bypass the programmer and to access the database directly.

false (query language)

Both the mnemonic and the hierarchical coding schemes attach specific meaning to particular character positions.

false (significant digit & hierarchical coding)

The applications approach to business event processing:

has a data redundancy

The model that only works well for simple data structures is the:

hierarchial database model

In a(n) ____ database model, records are organized in a pyramid structure.

hierarchical

In creating an entity-relationship diagram, the correct sequence of steps is:

identify entities, identify relationships, create tables

With the centralized database approach to data management, we expect to have:

improved data integrity

Object-oriented databases:

include abstract data types

In the applications approach to business event processing, a data change in one application before updating another application could lead to:

inconsistent data

A software program that may be integrated into DSS or other software tools is a(n):

intelligent agent

The principal difference between an executive information system (EIS) and a decision support system (DSS) is that an EIS:

is primarily about collecting and presenting information without doing additional processing or calculations

The coding system that is most understandable by human information processors is:

mnemonic coding

In a(n) ____ database model, a child record may have more than one parent.

network

The computer-based system of hardware and software that mimics the human brain's ability to recognize patterns or predict outcomes using less-than-complete information is referred to as:

neural networks

A relation is in second normal form (2NF) if it is in first normal form (1NF) and:

no non-key attribute is dependent on only a portion of the primary key.

The model that includes abstract types that allow users to define data to be stored in the database is the:

object-oriented database model

Data redundancy:

occurs when data is stored in multiple locations

Which of the following is not a database model discussed in Chapter 5:

physical

A unique identifier that serves as an address for each row in a database is called:

primary key

The feature of a database management system that enables nontechnical users to access a database and to produce inquiry reports is the:

query language

In a(n) ____ database model, data are logically organized into two-dimensional tables.

relational

Which of the following database types has dominance in contemporary systems?

relational

The model that logically organizes data into two-dimensional tables is the:

relational database model

In a DBMS, a complete description of the configuration of record types, data items and the relationships among them is known as:

schema

Assigning numbers to objects in chronological sequence is known as:

sequential coding

Another name for sequential coding is:

serial coding

For the following diagram, which item is the entity?

students

A ____ describes a portion of a DBMS' configuration of record types and data items and the relationships among them.

subschema

The approach to business event processing in which facts are stored in a relational database is:

the centralized database approach

A record layout depicts:

the fields comprising a record

A DBMS is a set of integrated computer programs designed to simplify the tasks of creating, accessing, and managing a centralized database.

true

A check digit is a code that includes an extra digit to a code in order to check the accuracy with which the code is keyed into a computer.

true

A data model depicts user requirements for data stored in a database.

true

A data model for a database is often depicted using entity-relationship diagrams.

true

A description of a portion of a schema is referred to as a subschema.

true

A spreadsheet is a typical component of a decision support system.

true

An attribute is an item of data that characterizes an entity or relationship.

true

An expert system helps make complex decisions consistently.

true

An object-oriented database system is a database that allows both simple and complex objects to be stored using abstract data types.

true

An unnormalized table is a table that contains repeating attributes (or fields) within each row (or record).

true

Business processes, such as hiring employees, purchasing inventory, and collecting cash from customers, are called events.

true

Classifying data refers to grouping or categorizing data according to some common attributes.

true

Data independence refers to decoupling the data from the system applications, and it is a major difference between the centralized database approach and the applications approach.

true

Data mining refers to the exploration, aggregation, and analysis of large quantities of varied data from across the organization.

true

Data warehousing and data mining are driving many new DBMS implementations.

true

Data warehousing is the use of information systems facilities to focus on the collection, organization, integration, and long-term storage of entity-wide data.

true

Each relationship has a characteristic, called a cardinality that shows the degree to which each entity participates in the relationship.

true

In a hierarchical database model, a child record may only have one parent.

true

In a relational database model, data are logically organized into two-dimensional tables.

true

In set theory, a two-dimensional collection of information is called a relation.

true

In the network database model, a child record can have more than one parent record.

true

Knowledge management is the process of capturing, storing, retrieving, and distributing the knowledge of the individuals in an organization for use by others in the organization to improve the quantity and/or efficiency of decision making.

true

Parent records can have many child records in hierarchical DBMS

true

The centralized database approach to business event processing, in which facts about events are stored in relational database tables instead of separate files, solves many of the problems caused by data redundancy.

true

The database administrator is responsible for administrative and technical issues related to the database management system.

true

The database management system, containing data related to all an organization's applications, supports normal data processing needs and enhances the organization's management activities by providing data useful to managers.

true

The normalization process involves the application of various rules (called normal forms) that yields relational tables that are free of anomalies.

true

The traditional applications approach to business event processing concentrates on the process being performed.

true

The uniform product codes (UPCs) used by supermarkets and other retailers are examples of a block coding scheme.

true

Update anomalies are problems in a relation table caused by the existence of functional dependencies.

true

When different information about the same fact is stored in different files the integrity of the data is violated.

true

A data model depicts the requirements for data as specified by the:

user

Data flows that provide a basis for managerial decisions are called ____ information flows.

vertical