Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL AND RELATIONAL DATABASES

Database Explanation A database is an organized collection of data.

Lesson 1 A ________ is an organized collection of data. 1. Header Row 2. Database 3. Datasystem 4. Record field

As many as are needed Explanation There is no limit on the number of tables in a relational database.

Lesson 12 - How many tables are in a relational database? 1. No tables 2. As many as are needed 3. Two 4. One

Relational Database Management System

Lesson 2 What does RDBMS stand for? 1. Rapid Development Bit Map Systems 2. Real Database Messaging System 3. Research Development BMS 4. Relational Database Management System

a cylinder

Lesson 2 What is the diagram symbol for a database? 1. a cloud 2. a line 3. a circle 4. a cylinder

Cardinality Explanation Cardinality describes how many records in table are related to how many records in another table.

Lesson 5 - _____ refers to how many records in a table are related to the number of records in another table. 1. Keying 2. Linking 3. Cardinality 4. Hierarchy 5. Association

Employee ID Explanation Employee ID is a type of entity. The domain of an attribute describes the possible values of the entities. It can be things such as text, numbers, dates, or time.

Lesson 7 - Use the following example. Which of these is NOT an example of a value that could populate the domain of an attribute? Name: Jane Doe Employee ID: 123456 Health Plan Enrollment: Premium Plan Work Location: RO, ME, Floor 3 Work Start: 0830 1. 0830 2.123456 3. Jane Doe 4. Employee ID

There is a limit to how much data they can represent. Explanation Computers use digital data, which means any representation is discrete, not continuous. This sets a limit as to how much data we can represent, which means any representation is by definition finite.

Lesson 1 Computers represent data in a finite manner. What does this mean? 1. There is a limit to how much data they can represent. 2. Computers cannot store analog data. 3. Computers are not as intelligent as the human brain. 4. There are only so many different ways to represent something.

As many as you need Explanation A hierarchical database has tables linking to other tables.

Lesson 11 - How many tables are in a given hierarchical database? 1. Two 2. One 3. As many as you need 4. It has no tables

a structured collection of data Explanation A database is a large collection of data stored in a computer. The data is organized into tables, and each table contains columns and rows of data in records

Lesson 6 - Which of these is the best general definition of a database? 1. a structured collection of data 2. Columns and rows that contain data in records 3. A large table of information 4. Primary and foreign keys that help tables relate to one another

Entity relationship diagram

Lesson 7 - ERD stands for: 1. Entity relationship drawing 2. Entity relevance diagram 3. Entity relationship diagram 4. Entity relationship dataset

Pyramid Explanation Each 'parent' directory has a number of 'child' files under it.

Lesson 11 - Which building most resembles a typical hierarchical database? 1. Skyscraper 2. Arch 3. Ranch house 4. Pyramid

Basic facts or values Explanation Data refer to basic facts or values. Data can be organized to represent text, numbers and other multimedia data types. Data that has structure and context becomes information, which is used to answer questions.

Lesson 1 What are data? 1. Information 2. Basic facts or values 3. Text and numbers 4. Tables used by computers

Analog data are continuous, while digital data are discrete. Explanation Analog data are continuous, representing the natural world, like the sounds we hear, the visuals we see, the handwriting we put to paper. Digital data are discrete, stored in a computer using the binary language of zeros and ones.

Lesson 1 What is the difference between analog and digital data? 1. Analog data cannot be stored, while digital data are stored using computers. 2. Analog data refer to data from before the invention of computers. 3. Analog data are continuous, while digital data are discrete. 4. There is no real difference.

Data refer to basic values or facts, while information consists of organized data used to answer questions or solve problems. Explanation Data refer to basic values or facts. Without a specific structure or context, it is not clear what the data might be used for. Information consists of organized data used to answer questions or solve problems. Structure and context turn data into information.

Lesson 1 What is the difference between data and information? 1. Computers store data, while the human brain stores information. 2. Data are digital, while information is analog. 3. They pretty much mean the same thing. 4. Data refer to basic values or facts, while information consists of organized data used to answer questions or solve problems.

Index Explanation There should be an index: Even though querying these tables can be challenging, the lack of an index may make it impossible

Lesson 10 - Even though tables aren't related in a flat-file database, they should have a(n) _____. 1. Text Field 2. Field Size Limit 3. Date/Time stamp 4. Index

All are correct .Explanation For small applications, or for small data sets, flat-file databases are OK. As they grow in record count and field count, they become an administrative challenge.

Lesson 10 - Flat-file databases can become _____. 1. Complicated 2. Unwieldy 3. All are correct 4. Huge

Fix each record Explanation If you want the data to be worthwhile, each record must be fixed! This is one of the drawbacks to the flat-file database structure.

Lesson 10 - I have a flat-file table with seven records for a customer. Her name changes. How do I update the data? 1. Fix the last record 2. Fix each record 3. Ignore it; no big deal 4. Fix only the first record

Relationships Explanation Although the same data might be present among the tables, the tables are not related to each other.

Lesson 10 - The data in a flat file database have no _____ between them. 1. Relationships 2. Data Types 3. Boundaries 4. Data Integrity

FileMaker Explanation Others include Berkeley DB and Borland Reflex. Of course, an Excel spreadsheet is also a flat file!

Lesson 10 - _____ is an example of a flat-file database tool. 1. PostreSQL 2. MySQL 3. FileMaker 4. Oracle

Parent-child Explanation Data 'descends' through different levels.

Lesson 11 - What is the basic relationship in a hierarchical database? 1. Cousin 2. Parent-child 3. All of the data is related in the same way 4. Sibling

A group of students organized by homeroom Explanation Because each student fits into only one homeroom, the homeroom is the 'parent' and the students are the 'children'.

Lesson 11 - Which of these could use a hierarchical database most efficiently? 1. A group of students organized by homeroom 2. A list of people for a wedding 3. Any database can be made into a hierarchical database 4. A list of recipes

Family tree Explanation A family tree has the same basic hierarchy as a hierarchical database.

Lesson 11 - Which of these is most like a hierarchical database? 1. Family tree 2. Cross-listed classes between physics and math that fall in each department 3. Spreadsheet 4. A book

Flat file Explanation It has the same information without linking to other people.

Lesson 12 - What style of database is in a smartphone's contact book? 1. Flat file 2. Subject 3. Hierarchical 4. Relational

A spider web Explanation Different links tie different elements of data together, forming a network of information much like the shape of a spider web.

Lesson 12 - Which of the following does a relational database most resemble? 1. A spider web 2. A table 3. A pyramid 4. A filing cabinet

Explanation A flat file database is structurally similar to a spreadsheet.. Explanation Because all of this information is on different tables, it works well with a relational database.

Lesson 12 - Which of these is an ideal use of a relational database? 1. Managing inventory, prices, and production 2. Managing lists of alumni 3. Managing a contact book 4. Managing a family tree

A spreadsheet Explanation A flat file database is structurally similar to a spreadsheet.

Lesson 12 - Which of these would especially suit a flat file database? 1. Data that links to multiple tables 2. Data dependent on other data 3. A bunch of 'parent-child' relationships 4. A spreadsheet

A hierarchical database. Explanation Searching is faster in this type of database.

Lesson 13 - If I needed to perform a lot of searches on a database, what type would I use? 1. A general database. 2. A relational database. 3. A hierarchical database. 4. None of the other answers.

A collection of information centered on a particular theme. Explanation A database hold ordered information which can come in many different types, including tree and table structures.

Lesson 13 - What is a database? 1. A collection of information centered on a particular theme. 2. A collection of information stored in a table structure. 3. A collection of random information. 4. A collection of information stored in a tree structure.

A collection of information stored in a tree structure. Explanation It may help to remember this by thinking of how a tree can resemble a hierarchy, with each branch connecting to a lower branch.

Lesson 13 - What is a hierarchical database? 1. A collection of information centered on a particular theme. 2. A collection of random information. 3. A collection of information stored in a table structure. 4. A collection of information stored in a tree structure.

A collection of information stored in a table structure. Explanation A relational databases show relationships, and therefore is put into a table structure where the related information to the subject can be shown.

Lesson 13 - What is a relational database? 1. A collection of information stored in a tree structure. 2. A collection of information centered on a particular theme. 3. A collection of information stored in a table structure. 4. A collection of random information.

a relational database Explanation When a new element is added to a relational database it is stored at the end of the table, which makes adding elements more efficient that if you were to use a hierarchical database or certainly pencil and paper.

Lesson 13 - You need a database in which you will be constantly adding new elements. What type would be best to use? 1. pencil and paper 2. a relational database 3. a hierarchical database 4. any excel file

Storing data in large chunks

Lesson 2 In the data storage sense, what does 'denormalized' mean? 1. Data containing unusual information 2. Storing data in large chunks 3. Storing data in small chunks 4. Standardizing data before it's stored

A computer mechanism for storing and retrieving data

Lesson 2 What is a database? 1. A type of a disk 2. A part of a computer closest to data 3. A computer mechanism for storing and retrieving data 4. A base layer for storing items

text database

Lesson 2 Which database type is the simplest type and is organized into rows and columns in a text file? 1. line entry 2. shell database 3. command line 4. text database

To support effective problem solving and decision making Explanation Database management makes it possible to store all kinds of data into a single computer-based system. Storing and organizing data, however, is not a purpose in itself. Database management is implemented to support effective problem solving and decision making. What data are stored, how data are stored, and who has access to the data in what form are all decisions made in this context.

Lesson 3 What is the primary strategic goal of database management for an organization? 1. To make all important data available to everyone in the organization 2. To store all relevant data in a database 3. To support effective problem solving and decision making 4. To convert all paper-based data to digital data in a computer-based database

All of these are correct. Explanation Benefits of database management include: Databases make it possible to store and organize large amounts of data. Data become searchable using keywords and other identifiers. Databases change constantly and get updated on an ongoing basis. Various parts of a database are linked to each other. Different users play different roles in using and maintaining the databases. Databases can be accessed using different mechanisms.

Lesson 3 What would be the benefits to a chain of grocery stores from using a database? 1. Top management can easily track each stores sales. 2. Store inventory data would be available and up to the minute. 3. All of these are correct. 4. Multiple users could access store data at the same time. 5. Each stores data could be available to other stores.

Databases can only be accessed by the database manager. Explanation While a database is typically designed and created by a database manager, once created it is typically available to many different people in the organization, possibly including customers and the public.

Lesson 3 Which of the following about database management is false? 1. Databases can only be accessed by the database manager. 2. Many databases are updated regularly. 3. A library catalog is an example of a database. 4. Different people in an organization may have access to different parts of a database. 5. Making a database searchable makes it more useful.

Printing out all the pages of a database to create a permanent record of patients Explanation Searching, updating, and remote access are typical. Printing out all of the pages, however, is not very effective and in many cases not even possible because of the size and nature of the data.

Lesson 3 Which of the following does not represent a typical scenario with respect to the use of a database by a hospital ? 1. Updating the database to reflect a patients treatment 2. A Doctor accessing the database from home 3. Printing out all the pages of a database to create a permanent record of patients 4. All of the answers are correct. 5. Searching through the database to find a patients records

All of the answers are examples of databases. Explanation There are many different databases. If data is organized in some manner, it is a database.

Lesson 3 Which of the following is an example of a database? 1. Store sales transactions 2. All of the answers are examples of databases. 3. Hospital records 4. Library catalog 5. Customer contact information

Number of tuples in the relation Explanation The cardinality can change as records are added and removed, but in a given point-in-time, it is the number of tuples in the relation/table

Lesson 4 - In a relation, the cardinality refers to what concept? 1. Number of foreign keys 2. Allowed values for a primary key 3. Number of tuples in the relation 4. Number of attributes in a relation

Tuple - Row Relation - Table Schema - Workspace Attribute - Property Explanation There are many terms to describe the same concept; tuple = row; relation = table. You will notice these used interchangeably at times, so it is important to understand how they connect.

Lesson 4 - Match the correct relational database concepts.

4 Explanation Degree indicates the number of attributes in a table/relation. In this table, there are 4 attributes (artistID, artistName, genreID, locationCode)

Lesson 4 - What is the degree of the following table? 1. 5 2. NULL 3. 0 4. 4

Domain constraint Explanation Rules that govern the type of values in attributes are domain constraints and ensure that valid values are entered. For your employee database, you cannot have any entries with an age less than 18. The domain constraint will ensure proper data entry (or trigger a review if someone tries to enter that record)

Lesson 4 - When setting up a database, you establish a rule that an employee's age must be greater than 18. What best describes the rule you apply to this attribute? 1. Cardinality constraint 2. Domain constraint 3. Key constraint 4. Relational constraint

Simple Explanation The power of the relational model is its simplicity. It chunks data into manageable tables that are linked via key fields. This makes queries much easier and faster than in previous models.

Lesson 4 - Which of the following best describes the relational model? 1. Data-driven 2. Hierarchical 3. Non-normalized 4. Simple

Many-to-many Explanation The cardinality of the table association is many-to-many: many parts to many vehicles. All-to-many and many-to-all do not exist as types of cardinality.

Lesson 5 - A database of auto parts has two tables. The first table includes all the different parts. The second table includes all the different types of vehicles. Some parts can be used in more than one vehicle, while all vehicles consist of more than one part. This describes which type of table association? 1. One-to-many 2. All-to-many 3. Many-to-one 4. Many-to-all 5. Many-to-many

A foreign key Explanation A foreign key is a field or attribute whose values are the same as the primary key of another table. This makes it possible to create an association between the two tables: linking the primary key of one table with the foreign key or another.

Lesson 5 - A field in a database table whose values are the same as the primary key of another table is called: 1. A foreign key 2. A primary key 3. A secondary key 4. A candidate key 5. An alternate key

An association Explanation An association is a relationship between two or more tables. A key is a field used to uniquely identify a record, which is used to establish relationships. An attribute is a value associated with a database record. A database model is a systematic way to organize data. A link captures the meaning of a relationship, but does not specifically refer to a relationship between tables.

Lesson 5 - A relationship between two or more tables is also known as: 1. An attribute 2. A database model 3. A key 4. A link 5. An association

A primary key Explanation A primary key is a minimal set of fields or attributes whose values uniquely identify a record in a table. Each table can only have one primary key, even though this may consist of multiple fields.

Lesson 5 - _____ is a field in a database table (or a combination of fields) that has a unique value. 1. A foreign key 2. An identifier 3. A secondary key 4. An alternate key 5. A primary key

A record Explanation A record is the smallest unit within a database.

Lesson 6 - A database is comprised of tables, which each have columns and rows. Housed in one specific column and row is one unit of data called: 1. A datum 2. A record 3. A DML 4. A table

A statement that displays or alters data in a database Explanation A query sends a message to a database to display or alter information in a table matching the requirements given by the user. The query is usually written in SQL, or structured query language.

Lesson 6 - What is a query? 1. A statement that displays or alters data in a database 2. A data type 3. An example of a one-to-one relationship 4. A database management system

To simplify a many-to-many relationship Explanation A many-to-many relationship is a relationship between columns where each record can correspond to multiple records in another table and vice versa. A junction table bridges the gap between the two tables and breaks down the many-to-many relationship.

Lesson 6 - What purpose does a junction table serve? 1. To identify a primary key 2. To simplify a many-to-many relationship 3. To simplify a one-to-many relationship 4. To join two tables with similar data

DML or database manipulation language Explanation Words such as ''insert'', ''update'', and ''delete'' are considered DML because they make changes to the data in a table.

Lesson 6 - What type of language is ''delete'' in SQL? 1. DML or database manipulation language 2. One-to-many 3. SQL or structured query language 4. A query

Create a new entity

Lesson 7 - E-mail address is an attribute of an employee. If an employee can have more than one e-mail, what is the best step? 1. Add a new attribute 2. Create a new entity 3. Change company policy 4. Delete the entity

All answers are correct.

Lesson 7 - In database administration, an entity can be a single _____. 1. All answers are correct. 2. Object 3. Person 4. Place

Social Security number

Lesson 7 - Which of the following could be an attribute of the employee entity? 1. Key 2. Social Security number 3. Domain 4. Integer

Decimal Explanation Since the prices of items are in dollars and cents, the data type would need to hold decimal data.

Lesson 8 - If you need to store the prices of items sold, what data type would you use? 1. Integer 2. Text 3. Decimal 4. Character

Character Explanation The field types are sometimes different for different databases. To store data with text or alphabets the data type would be: Character

Lesson 8 - In a database, what type of field would you use for the names of customers? 1. Integer 2. Decimal 3. String 4. Character

The columns in a database table Explanation A database field is a container in a database table that holds the data. In a table, database fields are the columns of the table. The columns contain the names of the fields, which describe the kind of data each field can contain.

Lesson 8 - What is a database field? 1. The item numbers in a database table 2. A row in a database table 3. A record in a database table 4. The columns in a database table

True/False Explanation A Boolean data type stores a true/false value.

Lesson 8 - What kind of data can be stored in a Boolean data type? 1. Decimal 2. Positive/Negative 3. True/False 4. Integer

A table can have more than one field with the same name. Explanation A database field is unique--each database table can have only one database field for a specific value. The names of the database fields cannot be repeated.

Lesson 8 - Which of the following is NOT true about a database field? 1. The database fields are the columns in the table. 2. A table can have more than one field with the same name. 3. Each field in a database is unique. 4. The database fields are containers of data for the table.

when a unique identifier is made from two attributes together Explanation A primary key is one column that identifies each tuple uniquely. A composite key requires two attribute columns to be unique to do so.

Lesson 9 - A composite key in a relational database is: 1. when a unique identifier is made from two attributes together 2. a passcode made of a password and a passphrase together 3. a single row that uniquely identifies a tuple 4. a single attribute that uniquely identifies a tuple

columns describing characteristics of the entity type Explanation The column of a table that describes an element of the entity type is an attribute. Attributes are used in a composite key, but are not only in composite keys.

Lesson 9 - Attributes in a relational database are: 1. columns describing characteristics of the entity type 2. two columns that make up the composite key 3. rows describing characteristics of the primary key 4. a table's contents

a tuple Explanation A table which looks like a spreadsheet has columns of attributes and rows of tuples, or a data set specific to one item.

Lesson 9 - Each row in a database is called: 1. a data set 2. a composite key 3. an attribute 4. a tuple

no more and no fewer attributes that are needed to describe the table Explanation Dependency hinges on the attributes that describe the primary key uniquely. Omit one attribute and the table loses its ability to be fully described.

Lesson 9 - Functional dependency in relational databases is when: 1. the table is reliant on a composite key 2. none of your attributes are unique since they all depend on each other 3. you can delete an attribute and the table will retain its strength 4. no more and no fewer attributes that are needed to describe the table

a table with a primary key Explanation A primary key uniquely describes all the rows in a table. A composite key needs two attributes to become unique, which is considered weak. The number of attributes does not determine weakness or strength.

Lesson 9 - How would you describe a strong entity in a relational database? 1. a table with lots of attributes 2. a table with a composite key 3. a table with a primary key 4. none of the answers are correct