CPT-264 Chapter 6 & 7

Data-flow diagrams allow you to: A) show the timing of data flows. B) model how data flow through an information system. C) demonstrate the sequencing of activities. D) show the relationship among entities. E) represent the internal structure and functionality of processes.

B) model how data flow through an information system.

On a data-flow diagram, a rectangle with rounded corners represents a(n): A) data store. B) process. C) action stub. D) data flow. E) source.

B) process.

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) bottom-up approach.

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) unary relationship.

Since data-flow diagrams concentrate on the movement of data between processes, these diagrams are often referred to as: A) process models. B) data models. C) flow models. D) flow charts. E) logic models.

A) process models.

Which of the following is a true statement regarding a data store? A) Data can move directly from one data store to another data store. B) Data stores illustrate relationships among entities. C) A data store has a noun phrase label. D) Data can move from an outside source to a data store. E) A data store shows data in motion.

C) A data store has a noun phrase label.

Which of the following is most likely a source/sink for a manufacturing system? A) A customer B) A supplier C) Another information system D) A bank E) All of the above

E) All of the above

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) multivalued attribute.

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) relationship.

The part of a decision table that links conditions to actions is the section that contains the: A) action statements. B) rules. C) condition statements. D) decision stubs. E) relationship stubs.

B) rules.

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) security controls and understanding who really knows the meaning of data.

A supplier of auto parts to your company would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) relationship.

B) source.

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) underlined on an E-R diagram.

Having a level-1 diagram with no level-0 diagram is an example of a: A) violation of completeness. B) violation of consistency. C) balancing error. D) structuring violation. E) cohesion error.

B) violation of consistency.

Which of the following is NOT a process modeling deliverable? A) A context data-flow diagram B) Thorough descriptions of each DFD component C) DFDs of the current physical system D) An entity relationship diagram E) DFDs of the new logical system

D) An entity relationship diagram

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) an enterprise-wide data model is prepared.

Data in motion, moving from one place in a system to another, best describes a: A) data store. B) process. C) source. D) data flow. E) relationship.

D) data flow.

A file folder containing orders would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) relationship.

D) data store.

The lowest level of decomposition for a data-flow diagram is called the: A) context diagram. B) level-0 diagram. C) level-1 diagram. D) primitive diagram. E) cohesive diagram.

D) primitive diagram.

The calculation of an employee's salary would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) data flow. B) source. C) data store. D) process. E) action stub.

D) process.

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) they each describe different but complementary views of the same information system.

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) top-down approach.

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) associative entity.

The conservation of inputs and outputs to a data-flow diagram process when that process is decomposed to a lower level defines: A) decomposition. B) balancing. C) flow conservation. D) data flow structuring. E) gap proofing.

B) balancing.

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) binary relationship.

An arrow on a data-flow diagram represents a(n): A) data store. B) data flow. C) process. D) source. E) action sequence.

B) data flow.

Data contained on a customer order form would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) data flow. C) source. D) sink. E) relationship.

B) data flow.

Student data contained on an enrollment form would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) data flow. C) source. D) data store. E) relationship.

B) data flow.

Data at rest, which may take the form of many different physical representations, best describes a: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) relationship.

B) data store.

Techniques used for modeling system logic include: A) flow charts. B) decision tables. C) data-flow diagrams. D) dialogue charts. E) entity relationship diagrams

B) decision tables.

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) entity-relationship diagramming. ?

On an entity-relationship diagram, a rectangle represents a(n): A) data flow. B) entity. C) multivalued attribute. D) repeating group. E) relationship.

B) entity.

A miracle process is one that: A) has only inputs. B) has only outputs. C) cannot be exploded further. D) has insufficient inputs to produce the associated processes. E) is connected directly to a source.

B) has only outputs.

A candidate key that has been selected as the unique, identifying characteristic for an entity type is called a(n): A) attribute. B) identifier. C) secondary key. D) gerund. E) index.

B) identifier.

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) integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data.

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) minimum cardinality of the relationship

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding data flows? A) A data flow can go directly back to the same process it leaves. B) A fork in a data flow means that exactly the same data go from a common location to two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks. C) A data flow from a data store means retrieve or use. D) A data flow has a noun phrase label. E) A data flow has only one direction of flow between symbols.

A) A data flow can go directly back to the same process it leaves.

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) A data entity will have many possible instances.

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) An information system design based on a data orientation, rather than a process or logic orientation, should have a longer useful life.

If a data flow appears on the context diagram and is also represented on a level-0 diagram, this would be referred to as: A) leveling. B) flow conservation. C) balancing. D) cohesion. E) coupling.

C) balancing.

If two processes are connected by a data flow, they are said to: A) exhibit cohesion. B) share the same data. C) be coupled to each other. D) be strapped to each other. E) be intertwined.

C) be coupled to each other.

If STUDENT and COURSE participate in a relationship, this is an example of a(n): A) unary relationship. B) coupled relationship. C) binary relationship. D) ternary relationship. E) extraordinary relationship.

C) binary relationship

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) candidate key.

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) choose a candidate key that will not change its value over the life of each instance of the entity type.

If your DFD contains data flows that do not lead anywhere, it is not: A) gap proof. B) a primitive diagram. C) complete. D) consistent. E) balanced.

C) complete.

A computer-based file containing employee information would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) data flow. B) source. C) data store. D) process. E) action stub.

C) data store.

The act of going from a single system to several component processes refers to: A) structuring. B) balancing. C) decomposition. D) formatting. E) regeneration.

C) decomposition.

A detailed, logical, and graphical representation of the entities, associations, and data elements for an organization or business area best describes a(n): A) logic model. B) data-flow diagram. C) entity-relationship diagram or E-R diagram. D) structure chart. E) data tree.

C) entity-relationship diagram or E-R diagram.

A product is an example of a(n): A) data element. B) attribute. C) entity. D) relationship. E) process.

C) entity.

A renewal is an example of a(n): A) data element. B) attribute. C) entity. D) relationship. E) action stub.

C) entity.

A data-flow diagram that represents a system's major processes, data flows, and data stores at a high level of detail refers to a: A) context diagram. B) level-1 diagram. C) level-0 diagram. D) level-00 diagram. E) logic diagram.

C) level-0 diagram.

When you believe that you have shown each business form or transaction, computer screen, and report as a single data flow, you have probably reached the: A) level-0 diagrams. B) ternary level diagrams. C) primitive data-flow diagrams. D) secondary-level diagrams. E) context level diagrams.

C) primitive data-flow diagrams.

Graphically representing the processes that capture, manipulate, store, and distribute data between a system and its environment and among components within a system refers to: A) data modeling. B) structure modeling. C) process modeling. D) transition modeling. E) logic modeling.

C) process modeling.

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) repeating group.

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) systems analysis.

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) ternary relationship

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) the minimum cardinality of the relationship is one.

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) three entity types.

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) Alternative generation and selection

The number of entity types that participate in a relationship refers to: A) cardinality. B) association. C) count. D) degree. E) normalization.

D) degree.

A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data refers to a(n): A) attribute. B) data element. C) relationship. D) entity. E) process.

D) entity.

The process of discovering discrepancies between two or more sets of data-flow diagrams or discrepancies within a single DFD is referred to as: A) requirements structuring. B) logic modeling. C) DFD validation. D) gap analysis. E) DFD stress testing.

D) gap analysis.

The lowest level of DFDs are: A) level-0 diagrams. B) context diagrams. C) level-1 diagrams. D) primitive data-flow diagrams. E) systematic diagrams.

D) primitive data-flow diagrams.

A DFD that is a result of three nested decompositions of a series of subprocesses from a process on a level-0 diagram describes a: A) level-3 diagram. B) level-1 diagram. C) level-2 diagram. D) primitive diagram. E) context diagram.

D) primitive diagram.

The work or actions performed on data so that they are transformed, stored, or distributed defines: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) action stub.

D) process.

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) a multivalued attribute.

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) an entity-relationship diagram.

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) a logical model (relational) is prepared.

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) A data model explains what the organization does and what rules govern how work is done in the organization.

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) An entity relationship diagram for the project's application

The extent to which information contained on one level of a set of nested data-flow diagrams is also included on other levels refers to: A) DFD consistency. B) DFD completeness. C) DFD gap proofing. D) DFD flexibility. E) DFD cohesion.

A) DFD consistency.

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.

A) The goal of conceptual data modeling is to capture as much of the meaning of data as is possible.

Which of the following is true regarding the context diagram? A) The process symbol is labeled "0." B) The context diagram contains two processes. C) Data stores must be shown on the context diagram. D) The internal workings of the system are shown on the context diagram. E) The context diagram organizes the processes in a tree-like structure.

A) The process symbol is labeled "0."

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 conceptual data model (E-R with attributes) is prepared.

The part of a decision table that lists the actions that result for a given set of conditions is called: A) action stubs. B) condition stubs. C) rule section. D) execution stubs. E) processing stubs.

A) action stubs.

If an input from a source appears on a level-0 diagram, it must: A) appear on the context diagram. B) be connected to a data flow. C) be connected to a sink. D) be connected to a data store. E) be connected to two entities.

A) appear on the context diagram.

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) attribute.

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) bottom-up approach.

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) cardinality.

The diagram that shows the scope of the system, indicating what elements are inside and outside the system, is called a: A) context diagram. B) level-2 diagram. C) referencing diagram. D) representative diagram. E) decomposition diagram.

A) context diagram.

On a data-flow diagram, a rectangle with the right vertical line missing represents a: A) data store. B) data flow. C) process. D) source. E) relationship.

A) data store.

By placing a data store between two processes, this: A) decouples the processes. B) enables store and forward capabilities. C) enhances the flow of data between the processes. D) structures the processes. E) disintegrates the processes.

A) decouples the processes.

A single occurrence of an entity type defines: A) entity instance. B) entity appearance. C) attribute. D) data element. E) multivalued attribute.

A) entity instance.

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) entity type.

A black hole is a process that: A) has only inputs. B) has only outputs. C) has not been exploded to show enough detail. D) has insufficient inputs to produce the associated processes. E) generates output directly to a sink

A) has only inputs.

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) placing a crow's foot notation near the entity.

Recording a customer's payment would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) action stub.

A) process.

The origin and/or destination of data, sometimes referred to as external entities defines: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) predecessor.

A) source.

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) the data entities and their descriptions.

The extent to which all necessary components of a data-flow diagram have been included and fully described defines: A) DFD consistency. B) DFD completeness. C) DFD gap proofing. D) DFD flexibility. E) DFD cohesion.

B) DFD completeness.

Which of the following is a true statement regarding data flows? A) A data flow to a data store means retrieve or use. B) A data flow from a data store means update. C) A data flow may have double-ended arrows. D) A data flow represents data at rest. E) A join in a data flow means that exactly the same data come from any of two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks to a common location.

E) A join in a data flow means that exactly the same data come from any of two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks to a common location.

Which of the following is a true statement regarding sources/sinks? A) Data must originate outside a system from one or more sources. B) The system must produce information to one or more sinks. C) Sources/sinks are always outside the information system and define the boundaries of the system. D) If any processing takes place inside the source/sink, we are not interested in it. E) All of the above are true statements

E) All of the above are true statements

Which of the following would be considered when diagramming? A) The interactions occurring between sources and sinks B) How to provide sources and sinks direct access to stored data C) How to control or redesign a source or sink D) What a source or sink does with information or how it operates E) None of the above

E) None of the above

Vehicle identification number, color, weight, and horsepower best exemplify: A) entities. B) entity types. C) data markers. D) identifiers. E) attributes.

E) attributes.

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) both A and B.

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) database and file definitions are prepared.

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) of all of the above.

On a data-flow diagram, you may: A) repeat data stores and processes. B) repeat sources/sinks and processes. C) only repeat processes. D) repeat relationships. E) repeat both data stores and sources/sinks.

E) repeat both data stores and sources/sinks.

A square on a data-flow diagram represents a: A) data flow. B) data store. C) process. D) predecessor. E) source.

E) source.