INFO 3233 EXAM 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Data (define) - Answers - Raw facts
Not yet been processed to reveal meaning
Field (define) - Answers - A character or group of characters (alphabetic or numeric)
that has a specific meaning.
Used to define and store data.
Record (define) - Answers - A logically connected set of one or more fields that
describes a person, place, or thing.
File (define) - Answers - A collection of related records
What is data redundancy, and which characteristics of the file system can lead to it? -
Answers - Unnecessarily storing same data at different places.
Islands of information: scattered data locations.
-Poor data security
-Data inconsistency
-Data anomaly
What is data independence, and why is it lacking in file systems? - Answers - Data
storage characteristics is changed without affecting the programs ability to access the
data
What is a DBMS, and what are its functions? - Answers - Collection of programs,
manages the database structure and controls access to data stored in the database.
What is structural independence, and why is it important? - Answers - File structure is
changed without affecting the applications ability to access the data
Explain the difference between data and information. - Answers - Raw data (letters,
numbers) -->process data = information
What is the role of a DBMS, and what are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
- Answers - Better data integration and less data inconsistency.
Increased end-user productivity.
Improved: Data sharing, data security, data access, decision making
Disadvantages:
Increased cost, mangement complexity, maintaining currency, vendor dependence,
frequent upgrades
, List and describe the different types of databases. - Answers - -Single-user database
-Multi-user database
-Workgroup databases
-Enterprise database
Single-user database - Answers - A database that supports only one user at a time
Supports = 1 User
Multi-user database - Answers - A database that supports multiple concurrent users.
Supports > 1 User
Workgroup databases - Answers - A multi-user database that usually supports fewer
than 50 users or is used for specific department in an organization.
Supports < 50 users
Enterprise database - Answers - The overall company data representation, which
provides support for present and expected future needs.
Supports > 50 users
What are the main components of a database system? - Answers - access languages,
and application program interfaces
What are metadata? - Answers - Data about data
Describe data characteristics and relationships
Explain why database design is important - Answers - Good data modeling facilitates
communication between the designer, user, and the developer
What are the potential costs of implementing a database system? - Answers - Skills,
implementation, hardware, software, and location
Use examples to compare and contrast unstructured and structured data. Which type is
more prevalent in a typical business environment? - Answers - Unstructured is in their
original state
Structured is results from formatting.
What are some basic database functions that a spreadsheet cannot perform? - Answers
- queries
What common problems does a collection of spreadsheets created by end users share
with the typical file system? - Answers - Lengthy development times, difficulty, getting
quick answers, lack of security, limited data sharing
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Data (define) - Answers - Raw facts
Not yet been processed to reveal meaning
Field (define) - Answers - A character or group of characters (alphabetic or numeric)
that has a specific meaning.
Used to define and store data.
Record (define) - Answers - A logically connected set of one or more fields that
describes a person, place, or thing.
File (define) - Answers - A collection of related records
What is data redundancy, and which characteristics of the file system can lead to it? -
Answers - Unnecessarily storing same data at different places.
Islands of information: scattered data locations.
-Poor data security
-Data inconsistency
-Data anomaly
What is data independence, and why is it lacking in file systems? - Answers - Data
storage characteristics is changed without affecting the programs ability to access the
data
What is a DBMS, and what are its functions? - Answers - Collection of programs,
manages the database structure and controls access to data stored in the database.
What is structural independence, and why is it important? - Answers - File structure is
changed without affecting the applications ability to access the data
Explain the difference between data and information. - Answers - Raw data (letters,
numbers) -->process data = information
What is the role of a DBMS, and what are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?
- Answers - Better data integration and less data inconsistency.
Increased end-user productivity.
Improved: Data sharing, data security, data access, decision making
Disadvantages:
Increased cost, mangement complexity, maintaining currency, vendor dependence,
frequent upgrades
, List and describe the different types of databases. - Answers - -Single-user database
-Multi-user database
-Workgroup databases
-Enterprise database
Single-user database - Answers - A database that supports only one user at a time
Supports = 1 User
Multi-user database - Answers - A database that supports multiple concurrent users.
Supports > 1 User
Workgroup databases - Answers - A multi-user database that usually supports fewer
than 50 users or is used for specific department in an organization.
Supports < 50 users
Enterprise database - Answers - The overall company data representation, which
provides support for present and expected future needs.
Supports > 50 users
What are the main components of a database system? - Answers - access languages,
and application program interfaces
What are metadata? - Answers - Data about data
Describe data characteristics and relationships
Explain why database design is important - Answers - Good data modeling facilitates
communication between the designer, user, and the developer
What are the potential costs of implementing a database system? - Answers - Skills,
implementation, hardware, software, and location
Use examples to compare and contrast unstructured and structured data. Which type is
more prevalent in a typical business environment? - Answers - Unstructured is in their
original state
Structured is results from formatting.
What are some basic database functions that a spreadsheet cannot perform? - Answers
- queries
What common problems does a collection of spreadsheets created by end users share
with the typical file system? - Answers - Lengthy development times, difficulty, getting
quick answers, lack of security, limited data sharing
