Chapter 1 Review Questions
Give several examples of converting data to information
1) A phonebook: the phonebook is a collection of data (phone numbers of people and places) that can be turned into information with the appropriate context. If someone is hungry and wants to order food the phone number of the restaurant they wish to order from becomes information. The person searches and finds the number they need through the data collection so that they can yield the information from the data. 2)Retail manager looking at sales in the current quarter: the current quarter's sales are kept in a database that has previous years sales data summaries. The manager takes the data summaries from the current quarter's sales and the summaries from previous quarters or previous years to compare. The collection and comparison of those summaries yield the information the manager needs.
What are the main four categories of people involved with database projects?
1) Database analysts, designers, and developers 2) Front-end applications analysts and developers 3) database administrators 4) database end users
What four data operations constitute database use?
1) insertion 2) modification 3) deletion 4) retrieval
What are the main components of a database system?
1)database - structured collection of related data stored on a computer medium 2)DBMS - database management system that creates databases and manipulates data within the database 3)Front-end applications - provide a mechanism for easy interaction between users and the DBMS
What is the purpose of conceptual database modeling?
A conceptual database model is a collection of requirements that are clearly defined and stated in a written document formatted as a visualization such as an ER (entity-relationship) model. It's purpose is to serve as a blueprint for the actual (logical) database model
describe the relationship between the database and the DBMS
A database is a structured collection of related data stored on a computer medium. A DBMS is a database management system, which is a software used to create databases. Their relation is that the DBMS inserts, stores, retrieves, updates, and deletes data within the database and maintains databases.
Give an example of analytical information.
Analytical information refers to information collected and used in support of analytical tasks. An example is information showing a pattern of use of ATM machines like what hours of the day have the most withdrawals, and what hours of the day have the least withdrawals. The discovered pattern of use of the ATM machines can be used to set the stocking schedule for the ATM machines.
What are the steps in development of a database system?
Database Requirement: requirements collections, definitions, and visualizations (conceptual modeling) --> database modeling: logical modeling --> 1)Database implementation; 2)developing front-end applications (for indirect access) -->DatabaseDeployment 1)Database Use (direct and/or indirect use); 2) Database administration Maintenance
Give examples of database administration and maintenance activities
Database administration and maintenance activities support the end users. They include dealing with technical issues like providing security for the information contained in the database, ensuring sufficient hard-drive space for database content, and implementing backup and recovery procedures
What takes place during database deployment?
It involves releasing the database system so that the database and the front-end applications are available for use by the end users. It also involves populating the implemented database with the initial set of data.
Briefly describe the process of database implementation
It involves using the DBMS to implement the database model as an actual database that is initially empty. The database developers use the DBMS functionalities and capabilities to implement the database model as a functioning database. They are implemented using relational DBMS software. SQL (structured query language) are commands used during database implementation to create, modify, and delete database structures.
Briefly describe the process of developing the front-end applications
It is designing and creating applications for indirect use by the end users. They are based on the database model and the requirements specify the front-end functionalities of the system needed by the end users. They contain interfaces such as forms and reports accessible via navigation mechanisms such as menus. It also involves connecting it to the database once the database is implemented.
Give an example of operational (transactional) information
Operational information refers to the information collected and used in support of the day-to-day operational needs in business and other organizations. An example is any information resulting from an individual transaction such as performing an ATM withdrawal or purchasing and airline ticket.
List several relational DBMS software packages
Oracle MySQL Microsoft SQL Server PostgreSQL IBM DB2 Teradata
What are the similarities and differences between the development of the initial and subsequent versions of the database?
Similarities: The new version of the database should be created following the same development steps as the initial version. They both start with the requirements collection, definition, and visualization step. Differences: The subsequent version does not collect all requirements from scratch since original requirements provide starting points for additions and alterations
Explain the iterative nature of the database requirements collection, definition, and visualization process
The iterative nature of database requirements collection, definition, and visualization is to allow further requirements to be added to the database at a later time. Instead of one isolated process iteration allows for refining and adding requirements after each step of the database development process to expand the database model.
What is the purpose of logical database modeling?
The purpose of the logical database model is to implement a database model using the DBMS software. It is subsequent to the conceptual database modeling.
How is the term "quality of a database system" related to the end users?
The quality of a database system is measured by how quickly and easily it can provide the accurate and complete information needed by its end-users.
How does the scope of the database influence the development of the database system?
The scope of the database does not really influence the development of the database system because whether it is designed for single-user or multi-users they go through the same fundamental development steps. The only difference is that the scope of databases is reflected in the size, complexity, and cost in time and resources required for each step.
What is the role of the front-end application analyst?
They are in charge of collecting and defining requirements for front-end applications.
What is the role of the front-end application developers?
They are in charge of creating the front-end applications
What is the role of database developers?
They are in charge of implementing the database model as a functioning database using the DBMS software.
What is the role of database designers?
They are involved in the database modeling stage.
What is the role of database analyst?
They are involved in the requirements collection, definition, and visualization stage.
Give an example of an indirect use of a database system
Withdrawing money from the ATM is an example of indirect use of a database system. An indirect use of a database system is an interaction between an end user and the database that involves front-end applications. The ATM itself is the front-end application and the end-user withdrawing the money from the ATM is the interaction with the database. The end-user clicking the option to withdraw money commands the database via the front-end applicator.
Give several examples of instances of data
examples of instances of data are text and numbers that can appear in multiple formats such as figures, graphs, images, audio and video recordings.
