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, Database Systems: Instructor’s Guide - Part III
Exercises
1.9 Interview some users of database systems. Which DBMS features do they find most useful and
why? Which DBMS facilities do they find least useful and why? What do these users perceive to
be the advantages and disadvantages of the DBMS?
Select a variety of users for a particular DBMS. If the users are using different DBMSs, group the
answers for the different systems, which will give an overall picture of specific systems.
1.10 Write a small program (using pseudocode, if necessary) that allows entry and display of client
N
details including a client number, name, address, telephone number, preferred number of rooms,
and maximum rent. The details should be stored in a file. Enter a few records and display the
details. Now repeat this process but rather than writing a special program, use any DBMS that
you have access to. What can you conclude from these two approaches?
U
The program can be written in any appropriate programming language, such as Pascal,
FORTRAN, C. It should adhere to basic software engineering principles including being well-
R
structured, modular, and suitably commented. It is important to appreciate the process involved
even in developing a small program such as this. The DBMS facilities to structure, store, and
retrieve data are used to the same effect. The differences in the approaches, such as the effort
SE
involved, potential for extension, ability to share the data should be noted.
1.11 Study the DreamHome case study presented in Section 10.4 and Appendix A. In what ways would
a DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the
database? What relationships exist between the data? What queries do you think are required?
It may be useful to review the file-based approach and the database approach here before tackling
D
the first part of the exercise. Careful reading and thinking about how people might use the
applications should help in carrying out the rest of the exercise.
O
1.12 Study the Wellmeadows Hospital case study presented in Appendix B.3. In what ways would a
DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the
database? What relationships exist between the data?
C
The approach used for Exercise 1.10 should be used for this exercise also.
1.13 Discuss what you consider to be the three most important advantages for the use of a DBMS for a
S
company like DreamHome and provide a justification for your selection. Discuss what you
consider to be the three most important disadvantages for the use of a DBMS for a company like
DreamHome and provide a justification for your selection.
Students should review section 1.6 to make a list of advantages and disadvantages of using a
DBMS.
1.14 Using any Web browser, look at some of the following Web pages and discover the wealth of
information available there:
4
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, Database Systems: Instructor’s Guide - Part III
Exercises
1.9 Interview some users of database systems. Which DBMS features do they find most useful and
why? Which DBMS facilities do they find least useful and why? What do these users perceive to
be the advantages and disadvantages of the DBMS?
Select a variety of users for a particular DBMS. If the users are using different DBMSs, group the
answers for the different systems, which will give an overall picture of specific systems.
1.10 Write a small program (using pseudocode, if necessary) that allows entry and display of client
N
details including a client number, name, address, telephone number, preferred number of rooms,
and maximum rent. The details should be stored in a file. Enter a few records and display the
details. Now repeat this process but rather than writing a special program, use any DBMS that
you have access to. What can you conclude from these two approaches?
U
The program can be written in any appropriate programming language, such as Pascal,
FORTRAN, C. It should adhere to basic software engineering principles including being well-
R
structured, modular, and suitably commented. It is important to appreciate the process involved
even in developing a small program such as this. The DBMS facilities to structure, store, and
retrieve data are used to the same effect. The differences in the approaches, such as the effort
SE
involved, potential for extension, ability to share the data should be noted.
1.11 Study the DreamHome case study presented in Section 10.4 and Appendix A. In what ways would
a DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the
database? What relationships exist between the data? What queries do you think are required?
It may be useful to review the file-based approach and the database approach here before tackling
D
the first part of the exercise. Careful reading and thinking about how people might use the
applications should help in carrying out the rest of the exercise.
O
1.12 Study the Wellmeadows Hospital case study presented in Appendix B.3. In what ways would a
DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the
database? What relationships exist between the data?
C
The approach used for Exercise 1.10 should be used for this exercise also.
1.13 Discuss what you consider to be the three most important advantages for the use of a DBMS for a
S
company like DreamHome and provide a justification for your selection. Discuss what you
consider to be the three most important disadvantages for the use of a DBMS for a company like
DreamHome and provide a justification for your selection.
Students should review section 1.6 to make a list of advantages and disadvantages of using a
DBMS.
1.14 Using any Web browser, look at some of the following Web pages and discover the wealth of
information available there:
4
