CSE 480 Exam Sample Questions (HW
+ Sample Exam + Video Questions)
already passed 2025/2026
Which of the following database architectures is designed to store behavior instead of just static data?
A) File Based Storage
B) Hierarchical Databases
C) Network Data Model
D) Relational Databases
E) Object Oriented Databases - correct answer ✔E
Which of the following principle ensures that transactions don't interfere with each other as they are
being performed?
A) Atomicity
B) Consistency
C) Isolation
D) Durability - correct answer ✔C
What is the primary motivation for a database system chooses to not abide by ACID principles?
A) To enable it to be distributed across multiple sites.
B) So that it can handle multiple transactions simultaneously.
C) To prevent multiple users from accessing the same data.
,D) All of the above. - correct answer ✔A
In an XML Schema, what is the distinction between an xsd:simpleType and xsd:complexType?
A) simpleTypes can only be a string, whereas a complexTypes can be a custom type
B) simpleTypes can only be included as part of a complexType, but never on their own.
C) simpleTypes can have additional restraints placed on them, complexTypes can not.
D) None of the above - correct answer ✔D
Schemas are NOT required for which of the following storage formats? (Choose all that apply)
A) CSV
B) JSON
C) XML
D) SQL - correct answer ✔A, B, C
Which of the following types can be used to store date times? (Choose all that apply)
A) TEXT
B) REAL
C) INTEGER - correct answer ✔A, B, C
What is the advantage to SQL not being Turing-complete? (Choose all that apply)
A) Easier to optimize
, B) Easier to write
C) Actually, SQL is Turing-complete - correct answer ✔A,B
What is the difference b/w Record, Tuple, and Row?
A) Nothing
B) Whether the order of the elements matter
C) Some specify columns and others specify rows - correct answer ✔A
What order should tuples be returned if there is no "ORDER BY" statement?
A) Values ascending
B) Values descending
C) Insertion Order Ascending
D) Insertion Order Descending
E) None of the above - correct answer ✔E
SELECT *
FROM shows
ORDER BY name, FavoriteShow;
What should the order of the rows be?
A) Ascending by name (Ascending by FavoriteShow for ties)
B) Descending by name (Descending by FavoriteShow for ties)
+ Sample Exam + Video Questions)
already passed 2025/2026
Which of the following database architectures is designed to store behavior instead of just static data?
A) File Based Storage
B) Hierarchical Databases
C) Network Data Model
D) Relational Databases
E) Object Oriented Databases - correct answer ✔E
Which of the following principle ensures that transactions don't interfere with each other as they are
being performed?
A) Atomicity
B) Consistency
C) Isolation
D) Durability - correct answer ✔C
What is the primary motivation for a database system chooses to not abide by ACID principles?
A) To enable it to be distributed across multiple sites.
B) So that it can handle multiple transactions simultaneously.
C) To prevent multiple users from accessing the same data.
,D) All of the above. - correct answer ✔A
In an XML Schema, what is the distinction between an xsd:simpleType and xsd:complexType?
A) simpleTypes can only be a string, whereas a complexTypes can be a custom type
B) simpleTypes can only be included as part of a complexType, but never on their own.
C) simpleTypes can have additional restraints placed on them, complexTypes can not.
D) None of the above - correct answer ✔D
Schemas are NOT required for which of the following storage formats? (Choose all that apply)
A) CSV
B) JSON
C) XML
D) SQL - correct answer ✔A, B, C
Which of the following types can be used to store date times? (Choose all that apply)
A) TEXT
B) REAL
C) INTEGER - correct answer ✔A, B, C
What is the advantage to SQL not being Turing-complete? (Choose all that apply)
A) Easier to optimize
, B) Easier to write
C) Actually, SQL is Turing-complete - correct answer ✔A,B
What is the difference b/w Record, Tuple, and Row?
A) Nothing
B) Whether the order of the elements matter
C) Some specify columns and others specify rows - correct answer ✔A
What order should tuples be returned if there is no "ORDER BY" statement?
A) Values ascending
B) Values descending
C) Insertion Order Ascending
D) Insertion Order Descending
E) None of the above - correct answer ✔E
SELECT *
FROM shows
ORDER BY name, FavoriteShow;
What should the order of the rows be?
A) Ascending by name (Ascending by FavoriteShow for ties)
B) Descending by name (Descending by FavoriteShow for ties)
