Chapter 7
A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data refers to a: A. attribute. B. data element. C. relationship. D. entity. E. process.
D
A good number of alternatives to generate is: A. 3. B. 2. C. 4. D. 5. E. 7.
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.
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
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.
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.
A
A detailed, logical, and graphical representation of the entities, associations, and data elements for an organization or business area best describes a: A. logic model. B. data-flow diagram. C. entity-relationship diagram or E-R diagram. D. structure chart. E. data tree.
C
A product is an example of a: A. data element. B. attribute. C. entity. D. relationship. E. process.
C
During systems planning and selection: 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.
D
System features might include: A. data kept in system files. B. system outputs. C. analyses to generate the information in system outputs. D. expectations on accessibility, response time, or turn-around time for system functions. E. all of the above.
E
What happens during the Analysis phase in Requirements Structuring?
conceptual data modeling is created for representation of the organizational data. Usually an E-R Diagram is used to show how data is organized in an information system.
Shaping alternative system design strategies involves: A. enumerating different potential implementation environments. B. proposing different ways to source or acquire the various sets of capabilities for the different implementation environments. C. dividing requirements into different sets of capabilities. D. all of the above. E. none of the above.
D
Determining requirements and structuring requirements are associated with: A. systems selection. B. systems implementation and operation. C. systems design. D. systems planning and selection. E. systems analysis.
E
Dividing requirements into different sets of capabilities, ranging from the bare minimum that users would accept to the most elaborate and advanced system the company could afford to develop occurs during the: A. requirements structuring step of the analysis phase. B. alternative generation and selection step of the analysis 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.
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.
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.
B
A collection of entities that share common properties or characteristics best defines: A. entity type. B. entity instance. C. entity occurrence. D. entity collection. E. data set.
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.
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.
A
A single occurrence of an entity type defines: A. entity instance. B. entity appearance. C. attribute. D. data element. E. multivalued attribute.
A
Asking system users and business managers "How many instances of each object might exist?" 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.
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.
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 request 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.
A
Process, logic, and data-model descriptions of a system must be consistent and complete since: A. they each describe different but complementary views of the same information system. B. they are prepared during the analysis phase. C. they are constructed in parallel by separate analyst teams. D. a data model indicates when the data are processed. E. a data model shows how the data are processed.
A
The most conservative solutions in terms of the effort, cost, and technology involved in developing a new system are the: A. low-end solutions. B. high-end solutions. C. mid-range solutions. D. constraint-dependent solutions. E. requirements-dependent solutions.
A
The number of instances of entity B that can (or must be associated with each instance of entity A refers to: A. cardinality. B. domain. C. ternary occurrence. D. participation level. E. join level.
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 data 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.
A
Which of the following is produced and analyzed during conceptual data modeling? A. An entity relationship diagram for the project's application B. A data dialogue diagram for the project's application C. A Gantt chart for the whole database from which the new application's data are extracted D. A Network diagram for the whole database from which the new application's data are extracted E. A data flow diagram that shows how the new system will be physically implemented
A
A candidate key that has been selected as the unique, identifying characteristic for an entity type is called a: A. attribute. B. identifier. C. secondary key. D. gerund. E. index.
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.
B
A relationship that the data modeler chooses to model as an entity type best defines: A. recursive relationship. B. associative entity. C. domain. D. complex relationship. E. complex entity.
B
Asking system users and business managers "Is each activity or event always handled the same way or are there special circumstances?" helps determine: A. the candidate key. B. integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data. C. security controls and understanding who really knows the meaning of data. D. attributes and secondary keys. E. relationships and their cardinality and degrees.
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.
B
During systems design: A. a conceptual data model (E-R with attributes is prepared. B. a logical model (relational is prepared. C. a conceptual data model (E-R with only entities for the specific project is prepared. D. an enterprise-wide data model is prepared. E. database and file definitions are prepared.
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. alternative generation and selection step of the analysis 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.
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.
B
In theory, if there are four sources of application 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
B
On an entity-relationship diagram, a rectangle represents a: 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.
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.
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.
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.
B
A renewal is an example of a: A. data element. B. attribute. C. entity. D. relationship. E. action stub.
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.
C
A simultaneous relationship among instances of three entity types is a: A. unary relationship. B. binary relationship. C. ternary relationship. D. multiple occurrence. E. recursive join.
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.
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.
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.
C
Features that everyone agrees are necessary to solve the problem or meet the opportunity are called: A. desired features. B. essential features. C. mandatory features. D. minimum features. E. requested features.
C
If STUDENT and COURSE participate in a relationship, this is an example of a: A. unary relationship. B. coupled relationship. C. binary relationship. D. ternary relationship. E. extraordinary relationship.
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.
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.
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 includes statements on the system's functionality, hardware and system software platform, and method for acquisition? A. Problem statement B. Requirements statement C. Design strategy D. Systems service request E. Statement of work
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. None of the above is correct.
C
Which of the following is a true statement? A. Data characteristics are dynamic. B. A data model explains the transient form of an organization. C. An information system design based on a data orientation, rather than a process or logic orientation, should have a longer useful life. D. Data flow paths are permanent. E. A data model graphically represents the processes that capture, manipulate, store, and distribute data between a system and its environment and among components within a system.
C
Which of the following is a true statement? A. Data entities correspond to sources/sinks on a data flow diagram. B. Relationships correspond to data flows on a data flow diagram. C. A data entity will have many possible instances. D. Verbs are used to name entity types. E. An entity type is described many times in the data model.
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
C
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
D
The minimum requirements for the new system are called: A. essential features. B. desired features. C. minimum features. D. mandatory features. E. designated features.
D
The number of entity types that participate in a relationship refers to: A. cardinality. B. association. C. count. D. degree. E. normalization.
D
Constraints on systems development may include such factors as: A. available financial and human resources. B. elements of the current system that cannot change. C. legal and contractual restrictions. D. a date when the current system is needed. E. all of the above.
E
During systems implementation and operation: 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.
E
Selecting the best alternative system involves: A. generating a comprehensive set of alternative design strategies. B. selecting the alternative design strategy that is most likely to result in the desired information system, given all of the organizational, economic, and technical constraints that limit what can be done. C. developing all technology and organizational specifications necessary to implement the new information system. D. working with a customer to establish work standards and communication procedures. E. both A and B.
E
Some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements because: A. the characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports. B. data rather than processes are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems and thus require a central role in structuring system requirements. C. the characteristics about data are reasonably permanent. D. structural information about data is essential to generate programs automatically. E. of all of the above.
E
Which of the following is a true statement? A. The goal of conceptual data modeling is to capture as much of the meaning of data as is possible. B. The efficiencies gained by maintaining systems at the rule rather than code level drastically reduce cost. C. If a thorough repository of data descriptions is kept, the system can be regenerated as the business rules change. D. The more details about data that we can model, the better the system we can design and build. E. All of the above are true statements.
E
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.
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. none of the above.
B
Vehicle identification number, color, weight, and horsepower best exemplify: A. entities. B. entity types. C. data markers. D. identifiers. E. attributes.
E