Database Processing, Ninth Edition
CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Database Processing
True-False Questions
1.
The purpose of a database is to help people keep track of things.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 2
2.
Using lists to store data can result in data inconsistency problems.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 3
3.
Using lists to store data can result in data deletion problems.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 3
4.
Using lists to store data will not result in data addition problems.
Answer: False
Level: easy
Page: 3
5.
Breaking a data list into pieces with a single "theme" or purpose is done
using a process called table making.
Answer: False
Level: easy
Page: 4
6.
A properly constructed database can be described as a list that has been broken up into a group of
pieces, each of which is called a table.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 4
7.
When a properly constructed database is constructed by breaking a list into an appropriate group
of pieces, many of the problems associated with lists are solved.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 4
8.
In order to connect the tables in a database, each row in each table must be
identified by a table name
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 5
9.
A column that contains a unique identifier for the rows of its own table is
called a key.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 6
1-1
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
10.
A column that contains an identifier for the rows of another table in the database is
called a global key.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 6
11.
It is the job of a program called a database management system to store and retrieve data
in the database tables.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 6
12.
The industry standard supported by all major DBMSs that allows tables to be joined
together is called Sequential Query Language.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 6
13.
In a database processing system, a database application interacts with the DBMS.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 7
14.
In a database processing system, a database application accesses the database data.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 7
15.
In a database processing system, the database application creates queries.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 8
16.
In a database processing system, forms are processed by the user.
Answer: False
Level: easy
Page: 8
17.
In database processing systems, business users interact directly with database applications,
which directly access the database data.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 8
18.
In database processing systems, business users interact directly with the DBMS,
which directly accesses the database data.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 8
19.
In database processing systems, business users interact directly with database applications
that interact with the DBMS, which directly accesses the database data.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 8
1-2
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
20.
In a database processing system, the DBMS processes queries.
Answer: False
Level: easy
Page: 8
21.
In a database processing system, rules are processed by the
database management system (DBMS).
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 8
22.
A rule that prevents data from being written in one table unless appropriate related data
already exists in another table is called a referential integrity constraint.
Answer: True
Level: hard
Page: 8
23.
The description of a database’s structure that is stored within the database itself
is called the “metadata.”
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 9
24.
A database is called “self-describing” because it reduces data duplication.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 9
25.
In a database processing system, stored procedures are held by
the database management system (DBMS).
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 9
26.
An index can be used to improve the performance of the database.
Answer: True
Level: hard
Page: 9
27.
When the structure of a data entry form or a report is part of a database, it is called
application metadata.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 9
28.
Multi-user databases are less complicated than single-user databases because
the work is distributed to many people.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 13
29.
Multi-user databases are more complicated than single-user databases because
they must prevent one user’s work from interfering with another’s.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 13
1-3
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
30.
Large organizational databases were the first applications of database technology.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 14
31.
The phases of building a database system are the requirements, design,
implementation and application phases.
Answer: False
Level: easy
Page: 16
32.
Building the data model is a function of the requirements phase of building a database system.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 17
33.
A data model is a logical representation of the structure of the database.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 17
34.
Writing stored procedures is a function of the design phase of building a database system.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 18
35.
We design tables and relationships during the application phase of building a database system.
Answer: False
Level: moderate
Page: 18
36.
Creating constraints is a function of the implementation phase of building a database system.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 18
37.
We write stored procedures and triggers during the implementation phase
of building a database system.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 18
38.
Business information systems that stored groups of records in separate files were
called file processing systems.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 20
39.
The relational model was first proposed in 1970 by E. F. Codd at IBM.
Answer: True
Level: moderate
Page: 21
40.
One impact of the migration of DBMS products from mainframes to microcomputers
was the loss of an intuitive interface.
Answer: False
Level: hard
Page: 21
1-4
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
41.
Business organizations have resisted adopting object-oriented database systems because
the cost of purchasing OODBMS packages is prohibitively high.
Answer: False
Level: hard
Page: 22
42.
Databases can be combined with Internet technologies to publish database data on the Web.
Answer: True
Level: easy
Page: 22
Multiple Choice Questions
43.
Which of the following is a problem of lists that is solved by using a database?
a.)
data inconsistencies
b.)
problems adding data
c.)
problems deleting data
d.)
missing data
e.)
All of the above.
Level: easy
Page: 3
New Whatcom Library Checkout List
Name
Card Number
Book
Due Date
Joe Smith
Sara Jones
Sam Archer
Sam Archer
Joe Smith
How To Garden
Some Good Fiction
How To Build Things
More Good Fiction
More How To Garden
09/12/20xx
09/12/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/17/20xx
44.
123-450201
123-450217
123-450326
123-450326
123-450201
Given the New Whatcom Library Checkout List shown above, if Sam Archer's card is lost and
the card number shown must be replaced we must be careful to change each occurrence of the
number or else we will have a
.
a.)
data inconsistency problem
b.)
data addition problem
c.)
data deletion problem
d.)
missing data problem
e.)
None of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 3
1-5
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
New Whatcom Library Checkout List
Name
Card Number
Book
Due Date
Joe Smith
Sara Jones
Sam Archer
Sam Archer
Joe Smith
How To Garden
Some Good Fiction
How To Build Things
More Good Fiction
More How To Garden
09/12/20xx
09/12/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/17/20xx
45.
123-450201
123-450217
123-450326
123-450326
123-450201
Given the New Whatcom Library Checkout List shown above, if Some Good Fiction is lost and
must be removed from the list, all information about Sara Jones will also be removed.
This is an example of a
.
a.)
data inconsistency problem
b.)
data addition problem
c.)
data deletion problem
d.)
missing data problem
e.)
None of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 3
New Whatcom Library Checkout List
Name
Card Number
Book
Due Date
Joe Smith
Sara Jones
Sam Archer
Sam Archer
Joe Smith
How To Garden
Some Good Fiction
How To Build Things
More Good Fiction
More How To Garden
09/12/20xx
09/12/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/17/20xx
46.
123-450201
123-450217
123-450326
123-450326
123-450201
Given the New Whatcom Library Checkout List shown above, if a new book named Still More
Good Fiction is purchased by the library it will not appear in the list until it is checked out.
This is an example of a
.
a.)
data inconsistency problem
b.)
data addition problem
c.)
data deletion problem
d.)
missing data problem
e.)
None of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 3
1-6
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
New Whatcom Library Checkout List
Name
Card Number
Book
Due Date
Joe Smith
Sara Jones
Sam Archer
Sam Archer
Joe Smith
How To Garden
Some Good Fiction
How To Build Things
More Good Fiction
More How To Garden
09/12/20xx
09/12/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/15/20xx
09/17/20xx
47.
123-450201
123-450217
123-450326
123-450326
123-450201
Given the New Whatcom Library Checkout List shown above, there is no way to know if the
borrowers owe fines for past due books. This is an example of a
.
a.)
data inconsistency problem
b.)
data addition problem
c.)
data deletion problem
d.)
missing data problem
e.)
None of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 3
48.
A properly constructed database can be described as a list that has been broken up into a group of
pieces, each of which has a single "theme" or purpose. Breaking the list into these pieces is done
using a process called
.
a.)
database construction
b.)
table making
c.)
componentization
d.)
normalization
e.)
relating
Level: moderate
Page: 4
49.
A properly constructed database can be described as a list that has been broken up into a group of
pieces, each of which has a single "theme" or purpose. Each of these pieces is
called a(n) __________
.
a.)
datalist
b.)
datafile
c.)
table
d.)
normalized list
e.)
normalized file
Level: easy
Page: 4
1-7
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
50.
When a properly constructed database is constructed by breaking a list into an appropriate group
of pieces,
of the problems associated with lists are solved.
a.)
many
b.)
all except the data addition problem
c.)
all except the data deletion problem
d.)
all except the data inconsistency problem
e.)
b and c
Level: easy
Page: 4
51.
In order to connect the tables in a database, each row in each table must be
identified by a(n) ________________.
a.)
table name
b.)
column name
c.)
unique identifier
d.)
common identifier
e.)
global identifier
Level: moderate
Page: 6
52.
A column that contains a unique identifier for the rows of its own table is
called a(n) _______________.
a.)
joiner
b.)
relationship
c.)
key
d.)
foreign key
e.)
global key
Level: easy
Page: 6
53.
A column that contains an identifier for the rows of another table in the database is
called a(n) _______________.
a.)
joiner
b.)
relationship
c.)
key
d.)
foreign key
e.)
global key
Level: moderate
Page: 6
1-8
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
54.
A program whose job is to store and retrieve user data in the database is called the __________.
a.)
Database Modeling System
b.)
Database Management System
c.)
Data Business Model System
d.)
Relational Model Manager
e.)
Data Business Management Service
Level: moderate
Page: 6
55.
The industry standard supported by all major DBMSs that allows tables to be joined
together is called __________.
a.)
SQL - Sequential Query Language
b.)
SQL - Structured Question Language
c.)
SQL - Structured Query Language
d.)
RQL - Relational Question Language
e.)
RQL - Relational Query Language
Level: easy
Page: 6
56.
Which of the following are basic components of a database system?
a.)
the user
b.)
the database application
c.)
the database management system (DBMS)
d.)
the database
e.)
All of the above.
Level: easy
Page: 7
57.
In a database processing system
.
a.)
the database application(s) interact(s) with the DBMS
b.)
the database application(s) access(es) the database data
c.)
the DBMS accesses the database data
d.)
a and b
e.)
a and c
Level: moderate
Page: 7
1-9
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
58.
In a database processing system, the database application
a.)
creates tables
b.)
creates queries
c.)
creates reports
d.)
a and b
e.)
b and c
.
Level: moderate
Page: 8
59.
In a database processing system, forms are processed by
a.)
the user
b.)
the database application
c.)
the database management system (DBMS)
d.)
the database
e.)
All of the above.
.
Level: moderate
Page: 8
60.
In a database processing system, the DBMS
a.)
maintains database data
b.)
processes queries
c.)
processes reports
d.)
a and b
e.)
b and c
.
Level: moderate
Page: 8
61.
In a database processing system, rules are processed by
a.)
the user
b.)
the database application
c.)
the database management system (DBMS)
d.)
the database
e.)
All of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 8
1-10
.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
62.
In a database processing system, a rule that prevents data from being written in one table
unless appropriate related data already exist in another table is called a(n) _________________.
a.)
key constraint
b.)
foreign key constraint
c.)
stored procedure constraint
d.)
referential integrity constraint
e.)
trigger constraint
Level: hard
Page: 8
63.
In a database processing system, the database
a.)
holds user data
b.)
holds metadata
c.)
holds indexes
d.)
holds stored procedures
e.)
All of the above.
.
Level: easy
Page: 9
64.
A database may contains
a.)
tables
b.)
metadata
c.)
indexes
d.)
application metadata
e.)
All of the above.
.
Level: moderate
Page: 9
65.
In a database processing system, stored procedures are held by
a.)
the user
b.)
the database application
c.)
the database management system (DBMS)
d.)
the database
e.)
All of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 9
1-11
.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
66.
A database is considered “self-describing” because
a.)
all the users’ data is in one place
b.)
it reduces data duplication
c.)
it contains a description of its own structure
d.)
it contains a listing of all the programs that use it
e.)
All of the above.
.
Level: easy
Page: 9
67.
An index can be used to
.
a.)
document the structure of the database itself
b.)
improve the performance of the database
c.)
reduce data dependency for application programs
d.)
better represent the users’ perspectives of the data
e.)
All of the above.
Level: hard
Page: 9
68.
When the structure of a data entry form or a report is part of a database, it is called
a.)
user data
b.)
metadata
c.)
indexes
d.)
application metadata
e.)
None of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 9
69.
Multi-user databases
.
a.)
allow more than one concurrent user
b.)
must keep one user’s work from interfering with another’s
c.)
allow each user to make changes independently
d.)
both a and b
e.)
both a and c
Level: moderate
Page: 13
1-12
.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
70.
The first applications of database technology were _______________.
a.)
Internet databases
b.)
workgroup databases
c.)
organizational databases
d.)
personal databases
e.)
file-processing systems
Level: moderate
Page: 14
71.
For database systems needing to support approximately 15 concurrent users
within an organization, which type of database would be appropriate?
a.)
Internet databases
b.)
workgroup databases
c.)
organizational databases
d.)
personal databases
e.)
both a and d
Level: moderate
Page: 16
72.
For database systems needing to support approximately 2 trillion bytes of data
within an organization, which type of database would be appropriate?
a.)
Internet database
b.)
workgroup database
c.)
organizational database
d.)
personal database
e.)
None of the above.
Level: hard
Page: 16
73.
Which of the following is not a phase of building a database system?
a.)
requirements
b.)
design
c.)
implementation
d.)
application
e.)
All of the above are phases of building a database system.
Level: easy
Page: 16
1-13
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
74.
Which of the following is not a function of the requirements phase of building a database system?
a.)
build the data model
b.)
create tables
c.)
specify data items
d.)
define constraints and rules
e.)
All of the above are functions of the requirement phase.
Level: moderate
Page: 17
75.
During which development phase of building a database system do we build the data model?
a.)
requirements
b.)
design
c.)
implementation
d.)
application
e.)
All of the above.
Level: easy
Page: 17
76.
A data model is
.
a.)
a logical representation of the structure of the database
b.)
shown as an entity-relationship diagram
c.)
transformed into tables and relationships
d.)
a and b
e.)
All of the above.
Level: moderate
Page: 17-18
77.
Which of the following is not a function of the design phase of building a database system?
a.)
design tables
b.)
design relationships
c.)
specify constraints
d.)
write stored procedures
e.)
All of the above. are functions of the design phase
Level: moderate
Page: 18
1-14
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
78.
During which development phase of building a database system do we design tables
and relationships?
a.)
requirements
b.)
design
c.)
implementation
d.)
application
e.)
All of the above.
Level: easy
Page: 18
79.
Which of the following is not a function of the implementation phase of building
a database system?
a.)
specify data items
b.)
create tables
c.)
create relationships
d.)
create constraints
e.)
All of the above are functions of the implementation phase.
Level: moderate
Page: 18
80.
During which development phase of building a database system do we write
stored procedures and triggers?
a.)
requirements
b.)
design
c.)
implementation
d.)
application
e.)
All of the above.
Level: easy
Page: 18
81.
The predecessor of database processing was
a.)
file processing
b.)
hierarchical models
c.)
network models
d.)
relational data model
e.)
All of the above. were predecessors of database processing
Level: easy
Page: 20
1-15
.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
82.
The relational model
a.)
was first proposed in 1970
b.)
was developed by E. F. Codd
c.)
was developed at IBM
d.)
resulted in the DBMS product DB2
e.)
All of the above.
.
Level: easy
Page: 21
83.
Modern microcomputer DBMS products
.
a.)
are not truly relational
b.)
provide easy to use interfaces
c.)
have poor response time
d.)
are not true DBMS products
e.)
are really just programming languages with generalized file-processing capabilities
Level: easy
Page: 21
84.
Business organizations have resisted adopting object-oriented database systems because
.
a.)
object-oriented programming uses simplified data structures that fit easily into relational
databases
b.)
the cost of purchasing OODBMS packages is prohibitively high
c.)
the cost of converting data from relational databases to OODBMSs is too high
d.)
most large organizations have older applications that are not based on object oriented
programming
e.)
both c and d
Level: moderate
Page: 22
85.
For database development, the most important Web-related technology to emerge in recent years
is:
a.)
FTP.
b.)
HTTP.
c.)
XML.
d.)
OODBMS.
e.)
All of the above.
Level: hard
Page: 22
1-16
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
Fill in the Blank Questions
86.
The purpose of a database is to
Level: easy
Page: 2
help people keep track of things .
87.
Breaking a data list into these pieces with a single "theme" or purpose is done
using a process called normalization .
Level: moderate
Page: 4
88.
A properly constructed database can be described as a list that has been broken up into a group of
pieces, each of which is called a table .
Level: easy
Page: 4
89.
When a properly constructed database is constructed by breaking a list into an appropriate group
of pieces, many of the problems associated with lists are l solved .
Level: moderate
Page: 4
90.
In order to connect the tables in a database, each row in each table must be
identified by a(n)
unique ID .
Level: moderate
Page: 5
91.
A column that contains a unique identifier for the rows of its own table is
called a(n) key .
Level: moderate
Page: 5
92.
A column that contains an identifier for the rows of another table in the database is
called a(n) foreign key .
Level: moderate
Page: 5
93.
It is the job of a program called a(n)
retrieve data in database tables.
Level: easy
Page: 6
database management system (DBMS)
94.
to store and
The industry standard supported by all major DBMSs that allows tables to be joined
together is called Structured Query Language (SQL) .
Level: moderate
Page: 6
1-17
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
95.
In database processing systems, the data is directly accessed only by the
system (DBMS) .
Level: moderate
Page: 8
database management
96.
database
In database application processing systems, the user interacts directly with the
application programs .
Level: moderate
Page: 8
97.
In a database processing system a database application interacts with
the database management system (DBMS) .
Level: moderate
Page: 7
98.
In a database processing system, queries are created by
the database application programs .
Level: moderate
Page: 8
99.
In a database processing system, forms are processed by
the database application programs .
Level: easy
Page: 8
100.
In a database processing system, tables are created by
the database management system (DBMS) .
Level: easy
Page: 8
101.
In a database processing system, rules are processed by
the database management system (DBMS) .
Level: moderate
Page: 8
102.
A rule that prevents data from being written in one table unless appropriate related data
already exist in another table is called a(n) referential integrity constraint .
Level: hard
Page: 8
103.
A(n)
Level: easy
Page: 9
database is a self-describing collection of related records.
104.
Data about the structure of a database is
Level: easy
Page: 9
metadata .
1-18
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
105.
A(n)
Level: hard
Page: 9
index
is used to improve the performance of the database.
106.
When the structure of a form or report is part of the database it is called application metadata .
Level: hard
Page: 9
107.
A single-user database that is used by only one person at a time is
called a(n) personal database.
Level: moderate
Page: 11
108.
A database that is used by more than one person at a time is called a(n)
Level: moderate
Page: 13
109.
Organizational
Level: hard
Page: 14
multi-user
database.
databases were the first applications of database technology.
110.
A(n)
workgroup database is characterized by having 25 or fewer concurrent users and 100
megabytes or less of data.
Level: hard
Page: 16
111.
The phases of building a database system are the
phases.
Level: easy
Page: 16
112.
Building the data model is a function of the
a database system.
Level: easy
Page: 17
113.
A data model
Level: easy
Page: 17
requirements, design and implementation
requirements
phase of building
is a logical representation of the structure of the database.
114.
Writing stored procedures is a function of the
Level: moderate
Page: 18
design
phase of building a database system.
115.
We design tables and relationships during the
Level: easy
Page: 18
design
phase of building a database system.
1-19
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
116.
Creating constraints is a function of the
building a database system.
Level: moderate
Page: 18
implementation
117.
We write stored procedures and triggers during the
of building a database system.
Level: moderate
Page: 18
phase of
implementation
phase
118.
The first business information systems stored groups of records in separate files and
were called file-processing systems .
Level: easy
Page: 20
119.
The relational database model was developed by E. F. Codd at IBM.
Level: easy
Page: 21
120.
One impact of the movement of database technology from mainframes to microcomputers was
the dramatic improvement in DBMS user interfaces .
Level: moderate
Page: 21
121.
Object-oriented database systems were developed to handle the structures
processed by object-oriented programming (OOP) .
Level: easy
Page: 22
122.
For database development, the most important Web related technology to emerge
in recent years is XML .
Level: hard
Page: 22
Essay Questions
123.
Why can't databases be implemented as lists?
When a database is implemented as a list, the data is subject to four possible problems: data
inconsistencies, data deletion problems, data addition problems and missing data . Data
inconsistencies occur when changes to a data value that appears more than once in the list are
not made to all occurrences of the value. For example, if the same phone number appears twice,
but only one of those values is changed, a data inconsistency has occurred. Data deletion
problems occur because in order to delete some data values in a row the entire row must be
deleted, and some data that were not originally meant to be deleted are also deleted. Addition
problems occur when we have some data we want to add to the list, but cannot until additional
associated data is obtained. Finally, the list has no data entry rules to ensure that all necessary
data is entered in the list, and we may end up with missing data.
1-20
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Database Processing
124.
Describe a database processing system.
A database processing system has four components: the user, the database application, the
database management system (DBMS) and the database. The user interacts with the database
application, which interacts with the DBMS, which controls the database. The functions of the
database application include creating and processing forms, creating and transmitting queries
and creating and processing reports. The DBMS creates databases, tables and supporting
structures, manages database data, enforces rules and provides security. The database stores the
user data, the database metadata, indexes, triggers, stored procedures and application metadata.
125.
Why do we say a database is “self-describing” and why is this an advantage?
A database is considered self-describing because it contains a description of its own structure
within the database itself. This description is called the metadata, and it is stored in specialized
tables in relational databases. The advantage is that the database is self-documenting, and that a
knowledgeable user or a database designer can easily access the metadata. All DBMS vendors
provide tools to access the metadata within their products.
126.
Define and discuss the phases of database development.
The three phases of database development are the requirements, design and implementation
phases. Database application development is considered to be a separate development process,
and the same three phases apply to it. During the requirements phase of database development,
the data model is built, data items are specified, and constraints and rules are developed. During
the design phase, tables, relationships, indexes, constraints, stored procedures and triggers are
all designed. During the implementation phase, the tables, relationships and constraints are
created, the stored procedures and triggers are written, data is entered into the database, and,
finally, the database is tested.
127.
Briefly describe the history of database processing.
The predecessor of database processing was file processing, where data were maintained in
sequential lists on magnetic tape. Database processing as we know it today became possible with
the availability of direct access disk storage in the 1960s. Using this storage, both the
hierarchical data model and then the network data model were developed. In 1970, E. E. Codd
of IBM proposed the relational model, which is the standard model used today. Current DBMSs
such as DB2, Oracle and SQL Server are based on the relational model. More recent events
include the appearance of microcomputer based DBMSs, the introduction of Object Oriented
DBMSs (OODBMSs), and the development of tools such as XML to allow the use of database
systems over the Internet.
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