Exam Flashcards Preview

Database Systems > Exam > Flashcards

Flashcards in Exam Deck (42)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Data Redundancy

A

when data is stored in different places unnecessarily. E.g when you record names & numbers different places.

2
Q

Data Independance

A

Making changes to the way file characteristics are stored without affecting the programs ability to access data. e.g Usually lacking in file systems coz most programs change when data characteristics change.

3
Q

DBMS

A

Database Management System

4
Q

DBMS Functions

A

Eliminate data inconsistency, stop data anormaly, Data Dictionary Management, Data transformation, Security Management etc

5
Q

Structural Independance

A

When you can change the file structure without affecting the data access.

6
Q

Data

A

raw facts

7
Q

Information

A

Result of processing data to reveal meaning

8
Q

DBMS Role

A

A link between the user & the Database.
+s promotes data sharing, Eliminates problems islands of info, enforces data integrity,stops redundancy,promotes security

9
Q

Metadata

A

Data about data

10
Q

Spreadsheets cannot

A

Support self-doccumentation through metadata,enforcement of data types or domains to ensure consistency in columns, define relationships among tables, or constraints to make consistent on related tables.

11
Q

Data Modelling is important because

A

Designers use to communicate with programmers and end users of a database. Main function is understanding complexities of real world environment.

12
Q

A Business Rule

A

A short,precise and unambiguous description of a policy, procedure or principal that applies to an organization.

13
Q

Business Rule purpose

A

To define entities,attributes, relationships and constraints.

14
Q

Translating business rules

A

noun= entity verb= relationship between entities

15
Q

Relationship

A

Describes and association between entities

16
Q

Three types of relationships

A

1:M 1 to many, M:N Many to many, 1:1 one to one

17
Q

A Weak Entity must

A
  1. Be existence dependant

2. The entity must have a PK that is partially or totally from the parent entity.

18
Q

Strong(or identifying) relationship

A

PK of related entities contains a PK component of parent entity. Shown bold line ERD

19
Q

Composite Entity

A

Is in a 1:M relationship with the parent entities and is made up of the pk attributes of the parent entity.
Used to represent/solve a M:N relationship between 2 or more entities.

20
Q

Recursive Relationship

A

when a relationship can exist between occurances of the same entity set. eg an employee is a manager of a store.

21
Q

Entity Supertype

A

A generic entity type that is related to one or more entity subtypes. Used to: avoid nulls when one supertype might have different characteristics than another.

22
Q

Example of 1:M Relationship

A

One cook can make many burgers and each burger can be made by many cooks.

23
Q

Example of M:N realtionship

A

A student can take many classes and each class can have many students.

24
Q

Example of 1:1 relationshiop

A

Each store is managed by one employee and each manager manages only one store.

25
Q

Logical independence

A

when you can change the internal model without affecting the conceptual model

26
Q

Physical independance

A

when you can change the physical model without affecting the internal model

27
Q

Difference between a database and a table

A

A database is made up of/holds tables and a table resembles a file conceptually.

28
Q

Entity Integrity

A

Each row (entity) in the table has its own unique identity(PK)

29
Q

referential Integrity

A

When the FK consists of a value that refers to an existing valid row in another relation.

30
Q

What subtypes store:

A

Unique attributes e.g if a supertype is employee subtypes could be cook,waitress bar man etc

31
Q

Specialization Hierachy

A

Shows the arrangment and relationships between entity supertypes and subtypes.

32
Q

Subtype Discriminator

A

The attribute in the supertype entity that detirmines which subtype the supertype is related to. E.g Employee type

33
Q

Overlapping subtypes

A

Contain nonunique subsets of the supertype entity each instance appearing in more than one subtype. e.g tech an employee can also be a student.

34
Q

Partial Completeness

A

Not every supertype occurance is a member of a subtype.

35
Q

Total Completeness

A

Every supertype occurance must be part of at least one subtype.

36
Q

Entity Cluster

A

a “virtual” entity type used to represent multiple entities and relationships in a erd. Simplifies erd and makes more readable.

37
Q

Surrogate PK

A

A Pk created by designer to simplify figuring out entities. Used when there is no natural suitable PK , when it is composite or too long to use.

38
Q

Fan Trap

A

Most common design trap. Happens when you have 1 entity in 2 1:M relationships and there is an association that is not expressed in the model. Doesn’t show relationship properly.

39
Q

Normalization

A

The process of evaluating and correcting table structures to minimize data redundancy and in turn reducing anomalies.

40
Q

1NF

A

Table format, no repeating groups, Pk identified, attributes dependent to PK still has partial dependencies.

41
Q

2NF

A

1NF and with no partial dependencies still might have transitive dependencies.

42
Q

Partial Dependancy

A

When an attribute is functionally dependant on only one part of a composite primary key. Associated with 1NF.