Chapter 1: Introduction to Databases

Review Question
1.1. Define the following terms: data, database, DBMS, database system, database catalog, program-
data independence, user view, DBA, end user, canned transaction, deductive database system,
persistent object, meta-data, and transaction-processing application.

Data
 Data is a known fact that can be recorded and have implicit meaning.
Database

 A database is a collection of data that can be accessed, managed and updated.

DBMS

 A Database Management System is a system software for managing and creating

databases.

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Database system

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 A database system includes the database management system software and the

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stored data itself.

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Database catalog
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 Database catalog is a function on a server that allows users to check information on
databases. Database catalog also holds meta-data on every database such as how
many rows and tables are being used in a particular database.
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Program data independence

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 Program data independence is a technique that allow data to be changed without

affecting the application that process it.
User view
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 User view refers to viewing the content of a database according to a particular user
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or user.
DBA
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 DBA (Database administrators) is a specialized computer system administrator who

maintains a successful database environment by performing all related activities to
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keep the data secure.

End user
 The end user is the people who use the product and do not have to worry the process
of developing the database.
Canned transaction
 Canned transaction are standard types of queries and updates used by naïve end
user to constantly querying and updating database.

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 Deductive database system
 Deductive database system makes conclusion about its data based on a set of well-
defined rules and facts.
Persistent object
 A persistent object is an object that has been assigned to a storage location in a
database.
Meta-data
 Meta-data summarizes basic information about data in a database, which can makes
finding and working with particular data easier.
Transaction-processing application
 Transaction-processing application divides information into individual and
indivisible pieces called transaction. This system is designed to maintain the
database integrity and to optimise the performance of transaction processing.

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1.2. What four main types of actions involve databases? Briefly discuss each.
 The first type of action is defining the database. Aspects such as the database

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structure and database type called the meta-data has to be defined in this first
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action. Next, Constructing the database. Constructing base is the process of storing
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data into the database so that it can be maintained by the database management
system. Thirdly, manipulating database. Manipulating database is an action where
users can retrieve, insert, update and also delete data from the database using query.
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Lastly, sharing database includes user sharing their information so that the data can
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be used by other users.

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1.3. Describe the role of database management systems (DBMS) in the database approach. Discuss
why knowledge of DBMS is important for database administrators.
 A database management system has many important roles to maintain a database.
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Firstly, Data Dictionary Management. Data dictionary is where the database

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management systems stores definitions of the data elements and their relationships
called meta-data. DBMS uses this function to search for the required data
component structures and relationships. Secondly, Security Management. The
DBMS sets rules that determine whether the particular user have access to the
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database. Username and password are given to users for security measures. This
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function also sets restraints on what specific data any user can see or manipulate.
This is one of the most important features in the DBMS. Next, Backup and Recovery
Management. DBMS backup all the important data from the database automatically
to prevent the loss of data in case of power outage. Moreover, Data Integrity
Management. This function ensures the database has a minimal amount of data
redundancy. The DBMS returns the same answer each time when a same question is
asked even when the data is stored in more than one place. In conclusion,
Knowledge of DBMS crucial for database administrators so that they can fully
utilize all the tools within the database software to maintain and manage the data
stored in the database correctly.
1.4 What are the responsibilities of the DBA and the database designers?

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  Starting with Database administrator (DBA), there are multiple responsibilities that
a DBA has to take care of including, Software Installation and Maintenance. A DBA
will carry out tasks such as the initial installation and configuration of a new SQL
server. Setting up hardware and deploying operating system for the database server
is also part of it. DBA will also handle the transfer of data from the existing system
to the new platform. Next, Data Extraction, Transformation, and Loading. A large
volume of data will be extracted from multiple systems into a data warehouse
environment by a DBA. Moreover, Database Backup and Recovery. DBA will create
backup and recovery plans to prevent any loss of major data. In case of a server
failure or other form of data loss, the DBA will use existing backups to restore
information to the system.
 As for Database designers. They are responsible for defining the detailed database
design including tables, indexes, views, constraints, stored procedures, triggers and
other database-specific constructs needed to store, retrieve and delete data. As a
Database designer, skills such as data modelling, system architecture and an
understanding of implementing language and environment is required.

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1.5 What are the different types of database end users? Discuss the main activities of each.

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 Naïve Users. These users do not know how to operate a database management system

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and also have no skills on making requests from database directly. Naïve users access

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the database through given GUIs that has readable menu items to extract data from the

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 Sophisticated Users. These users know about the structures defined in the database.
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They have knowledge to access the database directly and they make direct requests from
it from obtain data.
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1.6 Discuss the capabilities that should be provided by a DBMS.

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 The capabilities of a DBMS must include all of these listed features. Firstly, Data
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Storage, Retrieval and Update. The DBMS software should allow reading, adding,
modifying and deleting data from the database. Next, Database Catalog. The DBMS
should have meta-data on every database such as how many rows and tables are being
used. Thirdly, Data Independence. Database administrator should have the ability to
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alter the permission of different level of users so that not all users can view all of the
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data in the database. Query Language should also be included in a DBMS. Query
language allows user to write programs that access the data in the database. Moreover,
Transaction Support. All the changes and updates made in the database will be recorded
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and tracked by the DBMS software. This is to ensure that the entire transaction is
completed successfully.
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1.7 Discuss the difference between database system and information retrieval system.
 Information retrieval system refers to an overall system which is capable of searching
and providing useful information from large amounts of stored data. The functions of
information retrieval system include identifying the information relevant to the areas of
interest of the user.
 Database System is the database management system software and also the stored data
itself.

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 Exercise
1.8 Identify some informal queries and update operations that you would expect to apply to the
database shown in Figure 1.2
 Informal queries are requests addressed to others, but they are overheard by us. For
example, what are the prerequisites for the database course.
 Update operations are performed on the database to update any of the information in
the database. For example, update the name of the instructor name King to Chang for
the course_number = MATH2410, section_identifier=85, semester=fall, year=07
1.9 What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled redundancy? Illustrate with examples.
 Controlled redundancy. It is a technique to use redundant fields in a database. This
speed ups the database access and also improves the performance of queries. The DBMS
ensures the allocation of the data in the records. It has the capability to control this
redundancy in order to prohibit inconsistencies among the files.
 Uncontrolled redundancy. The data is stored in multiple different places in the database.
With uncontrolled redundancy, many issues can occur including inconsistent of data. It

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is also a waste of storage space as it duplicates existing data.

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1.10 Specify all the relationship among the records of the database shown in Figure 1.2.

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 PREREQUISITE table has a relationship with COURSE and SECTION table. The

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attribute of Course_number from PREREQUISITE table has a foreign key in COURSE
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table and SECTION table.
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 SECTION table has a relationship with GRADE_REPORT table. The attribute of
Section_identifier has a foreign key in GRADE_REPORT table which is primary key
from SECTION table.
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 GRADE_REPORT table has a relationship with STUDENT table. The attribute of

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Student_number from GRADE_REPORT table has a foreign key in STUDENT table.

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1.11 Give some additional views that may be needed by other user groups for the database show in
Figure 1.2
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 The Student_number from STUDENT table should be unique for every student
 The Course_number from COURSE table should be a primary key as it is unique for
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each of the course

1.12 Cite some examples of integrity constraints that you think can apply to the database shown in
Figure 1.2
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In STUDENT table, the attribute of Name will be the primary key and its data type will
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
be CHAR. Other attribute such as Student_number and Class will have INT data type
as it only accepts numerical data.
 In COURSE table, Course_number will have CHAR for its data type as that particular
row of data is a combination of numeric and alphabetic characters and will have at least
a range of 10 characters.
 In SECTION table, Section_identifier will be the primary key in the table, and it is
stored as INT data type because that row of data will be all numerical.

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 1.13 Give examples of systems in which it may make sense to use traditional file processing instead
of a database approach.
 It is more appropriate to use traditional file instead of using database approach is when
the desired application is very simple. A well-defined database application that are not
expected to change at all. Next, systems with limited storage capacity will also not fit to
have a database management system. A DBMS will also not benefit a database
application with no multiple-user access to it.

1.14 Consider Figure 1.2

a) If the name of the ‘CS’ (Computer Science) Department changes to ‘CSSE’ (Computer
Science and Software Engineering) Department and the corresponding prefix for the course
number also changes, identify the columns in the database that would need to be updates.
b) Can you restructure the columns in the COURSE, SECTION, and PREREQUISITE tables so

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that only one column will need to be updated?

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 The attribute of majors from STUDENT table, attribute of Course_number and

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Department from COURSE table and attribute of Course_number from SECTION

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table will need to be updated

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 Column of Course_number from COURSE table and SECTION table can be split into
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two different columns which is CourseDept and CourseNum. Course_number from
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PREREQUISTE table can be split into two different columns which is CourseDept and
CourseNum. Other than that, Prerequisite_number from the PREREQUISTE table can
be divided into two different columns which is PrereqDept and PrereqNum.
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