CSC 602 – Assignment #2 9/17/08

Chris Grenard

Review Questions
Page 29 - #1
Define each of the following key terms:
a. Data – data are the stored objects and events that have a meaningful context and
importance within an organization
b. Information – information is data that is processed so as to increase its users
knowledge
c. Metadata – metadata describes the data types (char, int, date) we expect to receive
in the tuples of a database
d. database application – a program that is used to perform CRUD operations on a
database.
e. Constraint – constraints are added to database so users cannot violate the integrity
of the data. For example, an order cannot be entered for an item if the quantity on-
hand is 0.
f. Database – a file that contains logically related data
g. Entity – Any noun in an organization can possibly be an entity. Customer, Order,
Item, Vendor are all examples of entities.

Page 29 - #3
Contrast the following terms:
a. data dependence; data independence – the separation of data from its descriptions
is the difference between these 2 terms. Data independence separates the data
from its description (metadata) and the applications that use the data.
b. structured data; unstructured data – structured data consists of typed data (char,
int, date), whereas unstructured data can be multimedia, scanned images, etc.
c. data; information – data is the information that is logically stored in a database.
Information is data that is transformed so as to increase the knowledge of the user.
d. repository; database – a database is a file of logically related tuples whereas a

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #2

 repository is a separate storage area of the database that contains the data
descriptions.
e. entity; enterprise data model – an enterprise data model depicts the highest level
entities in an organization, an entity represents the lower level objects is more
descriptive than an enterprise data model.
f. data warehouse; ERP system – a data warehouse is used an as integrated decision
support system whose content is derived from various databases in an
organization, an ERP system is a business management system that combines all
functions of an organization into a single database application.

Page 29 - #5
Describe two ways to convert data into information
We can either convert data into information in the correct context, or summarize data in
a graph, report or chart.

Page 29 - #6
List and briefly describe five categories of databases and give an example of each type
1. Personal Databases: PDAs, Microsoft Access on a PC
2. Workgroup Databases: Networked databases used by small groups
3. Departmental/Divisional Databases: Networked databases that support information
needs for medium sized groups (25-100 people)
4. Enterprise Databases: A database whose scope and entities encompass the entire
organization’s business environment.
5. Web Enabled Databases: Databases that support online transaction processing such as
item searches, item orders, shipping information, etc., which allow customers to serve
themselves more efficiently and reduces marketing and customer support costs internally.

Page 30 - #11

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #2

What does the term data independence mean and why is it an important goal?
Data independence means separating the data descriptions (metadata) from the
applications that use the data. It is an important goal as it lets an organization grow and
modify databases without having to change the calling applications.

Problem & Exercises

Page 30 - #1
For each of the following entities in a university, indicate whether it is a 1:M or M:N
relationship:

STUDENT COURSE M:N

BOOK BOOK COPY 1:M

COURSE SECTION 1:M

SECTION ROOM M:N

INSTRUCTOR COURSE 1:M

Page 30 - #5

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #2

The statement is made that the disadvantages of file processing systems can also be
limitations of databases, depending on how an organization manages its databases. First,
why do organizations create multiple databases, not just one all-inclusive database
supporting all data processing needs?
Depending on the size and functions of an organization, the creation of an all-
inclusive database may be unnecessary as there are circumstances in which a
departmental or workgroup database would suffice. Some information needed for
departments may not be important to the entire organization.
Second, what organizational factors are at work that might lead and organization to have
multiple, independently managed databases (and hence, not completely follow the
database approach)?
Organizational conflict over data ownership and responsibilities about who
maintains the data (backups, recovery, and development) may cause an organization to
have multiple databases.
Page 31 - #9
A driver’s license bureau maintains a database of licensed drivers. State whether each of
the following represents data or metadata. If it represents data, state whether it is
structured or unstructured data. If it represents metadata, state whether it is a fact
describing a property of data or a fact describing the context of the data.
a. Driver’s name, address and birthdate: [Data, Structured]
b. The fact that the driver’s name is a 30 character field [Metadata, Property]
c. A photo image of the driver [Data, Unstructured]
d. An image of the driver’s fingerprint [Data, Unstructured]
e. The make and serial number of the scanning device that was used to scan the
fingerprint [Data, Structured]
f. The resolution (in megapixels) of the camera that was used to photograph the t
driver [Data, Structured]
g. The fact that the driver’s birthdate must precede today’s date by at least 16 years
[Metadata, Fact describing context]

Page 31 - #10

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #2

Consider an online catalog business in which customers can place orders for
merchandise. All orders consist of one or items.
a. Is the relationship between customer and order 1:1, 1:M, M:N
b. Is the relationship between order and item 1:1, 1:M, M:N

Page 31 - #16
Figure 1-10 shows a data model for a pet store.
a. What is the relationship between pet and store? 1:1, 1:M, M:N
b. What is the relationship between customer and pet? 1:1, 1:M, M:N
c. Should there be a relationship between store and customer?
Yes. It should be: 1:1, 1:M, M:N

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #2