Database Quiz Preparation Notes

Chapter 1: Introduction to Databases

1. What is a database and a DBMS?

o A database is a structured collection of logically related data,

designed to meet the information needs of an organization. It
includes entities, attributes, and relationships. A Database
Management System (DBMS) is a software system that allows
users to define, create, maintain, and control access to the
database. It ensures data consistency, security, and efficient
access.

2. What are the limitations of file-based systems?

o File-based systems suffer from data separation and isolation,

meaning each application maintains its own set of data, leading
to difficulty in data sharing. There is data duplication,
where the same data might be held in different programs,
wasting space and causing potential inconsistencies. They also
have data dependence, where the file structure is embedded in
the program, making maintenance challenging. Additionally,
different applications may have incompatible file formats, and
any new data requirements often necessitate creating a new
program.

3. What are the components of the DBMS environment?

o The DBMS environment comprises hardware, software, data,

procedures, and people. Hardware can range from a PC to a
network of computers. Software includes the DBMS itself, the
operating system, network software, and application programs.
Data is the core of the database, including the schema that
defines its structure. Procedures are the rules governing
database design and usage. People include database
administrators, designers, application programmers, and end-
users, all of whom interact with the system in different
capacities.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs?

 o Advantages of DBMSs include data consistency, enhanced
security, controlled redundancy, improved data sharing,
and better backup and recovery. They also enforce standards
and ensure data integrity. However, DBMSs also have
disadvantages such as increased complexity, significant cost
for installation and maintenance, potential performance
issues, and the need for specialized person to manage and
maintain the system.

5. What is the role of views in a database?

o Views provide a customized representation of data for different

users, enhancing security by restricting access to sensitive data.
They simplify complex queries and can present data in a manner
tailored to user needs. Views also help maintain consistency by
presenting a stable interface even when the underlying database
changes.

Chapter 2: Database Environment

6. What is the three-level database architecture?

o The three-level architecture includes the external, conceptual,

and internal levels. The external level defines individual user
views, showing only relevant data. The conceptual level
provides a community view, detailing what data is stored and its
relationships. The internal level describes the physical storage
of data. This architecture ensures data abstraction and
independence, enabling changes in one level without affecting
others.

7. What is data independence?

o Logical data independence means that changes in the

conceptual schema, such as adding new entities, do not require
changes to external views or application programs. Physical
data independence means that changes to the internal
schema, like using different storage devices, do not affect the
conceptual schema. These concepts help maintain database
flexibility and adaptability.

8. What are DDL and DML?

 o Data Definition Language (DDL) is used to define and
manage database structures, including creating tables, defining
relationships, and setting constraints. Data Manipulation
Language (DML) is used to query and modify data. DML can be
procedural, specifying how data is manipulated, or non-
procedural, specifying what data is needed without detailing the
retrieval process. Select, update, retrieve, delete.

9. What is the system catalog?

o The system catalog is a repository of metadata, providing

descriptions of data structures, constraints, and relationships
within the database. It stores information about data types,
authorized users, and access permissions, ensuring data
integrity and security.

10. What are client-server architectures?

o In a two-tier architecture, the client manages user interfaces and

application logic, while the server handles database storage. A
three-tier architecture introduces an application server between
the client and the database server, improving scalability and
reducing client-side processing requirements. This separation
enhances flexibility and load balancing.

11. What is a Transaction Processing Monitor (TPM)?

o A TPM ensures data consistency and integrity in multi-tier

environments, especially for online transaction processing. It
manages data transfers between clients and servers, maintaining
stable and reliable operations.

Chapter 3: The Relational Model

12. What are the basic terminologies of the relational model?

 A relation is a table consisting of rows (tuples) and columns

(attributes). Each attribute has a domain, specifying the set of
allowable values. The degree of a relation is the number of attributes,
while cardinality is the number of tuples. Understanding these terms is
fundamental to comprehending relational databases.

13. What is the mathematical basis of relations?

  Relations are subsets of Cartesian products of domains. For instance,
combining two sets D1 and D2 forms a Cartesian product of all possible
ordered pairs. Relations are defined as meaningful subsets of this
product, selected based on specific conditions.

14. What are the properties of database relations?

 Key properties include unique relation names, atomic values in cells,

distinct attribute names, and tuples with no duplicates. The order of
tuples and attributes is irrelevant. Each attribute's values are from the
same domain, ensuring consistency.

15. What are relational keys?

 A superkey is any attribute or set of attributes that uniquely identifies

a tuple. A candidate key is a minimal superkey, meaning no subset of it
can uniquely identify tuples. The primary key is the selected candidate
key for unique identification, while alternate keys are candidate keys
not chosen as primary. Foreign keys link relations by referencing
primary keys in other tables, establishing referential integrity.

16. What are integrity constraints?

 Entity integrity requires that primary key attributes cannot be null,

ensuring every record is identifiable. Referential integrity ensures
foreign keys match primary key values in related tables or are wholly
null, maintaining valid and consistent relationships.

17. What are views and their purpose?

 Views are virtual tables created by querying base relations. They

simplify complex queries, enhance security by restricting access, and
provide tailored data representations for users. Views reflect changes
in base relations dynamically, ensuring up-to-date information.

18. What are the restrictions for updating views?

 Updates through views are allowed if they involve a single base

relation and include a candidate key. However, updates involving
multiple relations, aggregation, or grouping are typically disallowed to
maintain data integrity.

Important Areas to Focus On

 Understand and explain key concepts like relational keys, integrity
constraints, and data independence.

 Focus on the architecture of DBMS, including three-level architecture

and client-server models.

 Review the functions and purposes of views, and know the limitations
of view updates.

 Grasp the mathematical concepts behind relations, especially

Cartesian products and relation properties.