INF2603: DATABASE SYSTEMS 1
100 High-Yield Exam Questions & Rationales
Comprehensive Revision for Chapter 1: The Database Approach (2026 Edition)
QUESTION 1
An analyst needs to ask a 'spur-of-the-moment' question to the
database to retrieve specific sales figures for the morning. This is
best described as what type of query?
Correct Answer: Ad hoc query
Rationale: Ad hoc queries are non-predefined, spontaneous questions used to retrieve
specific data as needed.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following describes 'Data' before it has been processed
to reveal meaning to an end user?
Correct Answer: Raw facts
Rationale: Data consists of raw facts that have not yet been processed. Once processed
and organized, it becomes 'Information'.
QUESTION 3
A company stores its entire database on a single server located at
their main headquarters. What type of database is this?
Correct Answer: Centralized database
Rationale: A centralized database supports data located at a single site.
,QUESTION 4
An employee changes their phone number, but the update is only
made in the 'Payroll' file and not the 'Human Resources' file. This
inconsistency is known as a:
Correct Answer: Data anomaly
Rationale: A data anomaly occurs when inconsistent changes are made to a database,
leading to data integrity issues.
QUESTION 5
If a change in the physical storage format of a file requires a change
in all programs that access that file, the system is said to exhibit:
Correct Answer: Data dependence
Rationale: Data dependence exists when data access and manipulation are tied to the
physical storage characteristics of the data.
QUESTION 6
A Database Administrator (DBA) is primarily responsible for which
of the following sets of tasks?
Correct Answer: Database design, implementation, and planning.
Rationale: DBAs manage the design, implementation, planning, and security of a database
system.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is NOT typically a responsibility of a
Database Administrator (DBA)?
Correct Answer: Networking of the database.
Rationale: Networking is generally handled by Network Administrators; the DBA focuses on
the data, design, and security within the DBMS.
, QUESTION 8
In the database approach, what provides the interface between the
user and the actual data stored in the database?
Correct Answer: Database Management System (DBMS)
Rationale: The DBMS is the software that manages the database and controls access to the
data.
QUESTION 9
A database that supports data distributed across several different
sites is known as a:
Correct Answer: Distributed database
Rationale: Distributed databases spread data across different physical locations or
networks.
QUESTION 10
What is the primary advantage of the 'Database Approach' over the
traditional 'File System' approach?
Correct Answer: Structural and data independence.
Rationale: Databases separate the data definition from the programs, reducing
redundancy and increasing independence.
QUESTION 11
[Database Fundamentals] An analyst needs to ask a 'spur-of-the-
moment' question to the database to retrieve specific sales figures
for the morning. This is best described as what type of query?
Correct Answer: Ad hoc query
Rationale: Ad hoc queries are non-predefined, spontaneous questions used to retrieve
specific data as needed.
100 High-Yield Exam Questions & Rationales
Comprehensive Revision for Chapter 1: The Database Approach (2026 Edition)
QUESTION 1
An analyst needs to ask a 'spur-of-the-moment' question to the
database to retrieve specific sales figures for the morning. This is
best described as what type of query?
Correct Answer: Ad hoc query
Rationale: Ad hoc queries are non-predefined, spontaneous questions used to retrieve
specific data as needed.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following describes 'Data' before it has been processed
to reveal meaning to an end user?
Correct Answer: Raw facts
Rationale: Data consists of raw facts that have not yet been processed. Once processed
and organized, it becomes 'Information'.
QUESTION 3
A company stores its entire database on a single server located at
their main headquarters. What type of database is this?
Correct Answer: Centralized database
Rationale: A centralized database supports data located at a single site.
,QUESTION 4
An employee changes their phone number, but the update is only
made in the 'Payroll' file and not the 'Human Resources' file. This
inconsistency is known as a:
Correct Answer: Data anomaly
Rationale: A data anomaly occurs when inconsistent changes are made to a database,
leading to data integrity issues.
QUESTION 5
If a change in the physical storage format of a file requires a change
in all programs that access that file, the system is said to exhibit:
Correct Answer: Data dependence
Rationale: Data dependence exists when data access and manipulation are tied to the
physical storage characteristics of the data.
QUESTION 6
A Database Administrator (DBA) is primarily responsible for which
of the following sets of tasks?
Correct Answer: Database design, implementation, and planning.
Rationale: DBAs manage the design, implementation, planning, and security of a database
system.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is NOT typically a responsibility of a
Database Administrator (DBA)?
Correct Answer: Networking of the database.
Rationale: Networking is generally handled by Network Administrators; the DBA focuses on
the data, design, and security within the DBMS.
, QUESTION 8
In the database approach, what provides the interface between the
user and the actual data stored in the database?
Correct Answer: Database Management System (DBMS)
Rationale: The DBMS is the software that manages the database and controls access to the
data.
QUESTION 9
A database that supports data distributed across several different
sites is known as a:
Correct Answer: Distributed database
Rationale: Distributed databases spread data across different physical locations or
networks.
QUESTION 10
What is the primary advantage of the 'Database Approach' over the
traditional 'File System' approach?
Correct Answer: Structural and data independence.
Rationale: Databases separate the data definition from the programs, reducing
redundancy and increasing independence.
QUESTION 11
[Database Fundamentals] An analyst needs to ask a 'spur-of-the-
moment' question to the database to retrieve specific sales figures
for the morning. This is best described as what type of query?
Correct Answer: Ad hoc query
Rationale: Ad hoc queries are non-predefined, spontaneous questions used to retrieve
specific data as needed.
