Chapter 4: Database concepts II

True/False
1. The higher the level of normalisation applied to a database the better it will fit the business
environment.

2. Second form normalisation requires first normal form and the removal of transitive
dependencies.

3. A transitive dependency is a relationship between two attributes in a table, neither of which is

a primary key.

4. One should normalise a many-to-many relationship in an ER diagram by creating two one-to-

one relationships with a new bridging entity in the middle.

5. To develop an enterprise model, one should start by drawing an ER diagram.

6. An example of a duality in the REA model is that for every sale there should be an internal
agent (e.g. sales person) and an external agent (e.g. customer).

7. The REA model is designed around the activities and events that occur in an organisation.

8. There is no accounts receivable in REA diagrams because it is an accounting artifact and it can
be calculated in real-time.

9. Apart from financial data, the REA also has an emphasis on non-financial data.

10. In a client-server arrangement there is always one server and many clients.

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Multiple choice

11. Which of the following statement is true?

a. A table has no repeating groups at the first normal form.

b. A table that is in the first normal form and has no partial dependencies is in the second
normal form.
c. A table that is in the second normal form and has no transitive dependencies is in the
third normal form.
d. All of the above

12. What normal form is the Lecturer Table at?

Lecturer Table
 
Lecturer_Code Surname Given_Name Level Salary
JON01 Jons Adam 1 45,000
JON02 Jons Maria 3 65,000
MIL01 Milton Adam 2 55,000
SCH01 Schneider Mils 3 65,000
THO01 Tomlinson Patty 3 65,000
ZAR01 Zara Sally 2 55,000
 
Subject Table
 
Subject Name Department_Code Lecturer_Code
#
125 Accounting 1 ACC JON01
126 Microeconomics ECO MIL01
127 Accounting 2 ACC ZAR01
128 Management FIN SCH01
Finance
 
Department Table
 
Department_Code Depart_Name
ACC Accounting
ECO Economics
FIN Finance

a. First normal form

b. Second normal form
c. Third normal form
d. None of the above

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13. What best describes the relationship between the entities Subject and Lecturer?

Lecturer Table
 
Lecturer_Code Surname Given_Name Level Salary
JON01 Jons Adam 1 45,000
JON02 Jons Maria 3 65,000
MIL01 Milton Adam 2 55,000
SCH01 Schneider Mils 3 65,000
THO01 Tomlinson Patty 3 65,000
ZAR01 Zara Sally 2 55,000

Subject Table
 
Subject Name Department_Code Lecturer_Code
#
125 Accounting 1 ACC JON01
126 Microeconomics ECO MIL01
127 Accounting 2 ACC ZAR01
128 Management FIN SCH01
Finance

Department Table
 
Department_Code Depart_Name
ACC Accounting
ECO Economics
FIN Finance

a. A lecturer can teach no subjects but may also teach many subjects
b. A lecturer always teaches at least one subject
c. A lecturer always teaches only one subject
d. A lecturer can, but does not have to, teach only one subject

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14. The best attribute to be chosen as the primary key for the Lecturer Table is:

Lecturer Table

Lecturer_Code Surname Given_Name Level Salary

JON01 Jons Adam 1 45,000
JON02 Jons Maria 3 65,000
MIL01 Milton Adam 2 55,000
SCH01 Schneider Mils 3 65,000
THO01 Tomlinson Patty 3 65,000
ZAR01 Zara Sally 2 55,000

Subject Table

Subject Name Department_Code Lecturer_Code

#
125 Accounting 1 ACC JON01
126 Microeconomics ECO MIL01
127 Accounting 2 ACC ZAR01
128 Management FIN SCH01
Finance
 
Department Table
 
Department_Code Depart_Name
ACC Accounting
ECO Economics
FIN Finance

a. Surname
b. Surname and Given_Name
c. Lecturer_Code
d. Either b or c

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15. How many records are present in the Lecturer Table?

Lecturer Table
 
Lecturer_Code Surname Given_Name Level Salary
JON01 Jons Adam 1 45,000
JON02 Jons Maria 3 65,000
MIL01 Milton Adam 2 55,000
SCH01 Schneider Mils 3 65,000
THO01 Tomlinson Patty 3 65,000
ZAR01 Zara Sally 2 55,000
 
Subject Table

Subject Name Department_Code Lecturer_Code

#
125 Accounting 1 ACC JON01
126 Microeconomics ECO MIL01
127 Accounting 2 ACC ZAR01
128 Management FIN SCH01
Finance

Department Table

Department_Code Depart_Name
ACC Accounting
ECO Economics
FIN Finance

a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 30

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16. How many attributes are present in the Lecturer Table?

Lecturer Table
 
Lecturer_Code Surname Given_Name Level Salary
JON01 Jons Adam 1 45,000
JON02 Jons Maria 3 65,000
MIL01 Milton Adam 2 55,000
SCH01 Schneider Mils 3 65,000
THO01 Tomlinson Patty 3 65,000
ZAR01 Zara Sally 2 55,000
 
Subject Table

Subject Name Department_Code Lecturer_Code

#
125 Accounting 1 ACC JON01
126 Microeconomics ECO MIL01
127 Accounting 2 ACC ZAR01
128 Management FIN SCH01
Finance

Department Table

Department_Code Depart_Name
ACC Accounting
ECO Economics
FIN Finance

a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 30

17. To maximise the flexibility of the database structure in the business environment, achieving
the _______ normal form is sufficient.

a. Third
b. Boyce-Codd
c. Fourth
d. Fifth

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18. Which of the following statements about the REA model is incorrect?

a. The REA model emphasises the recording of debits and credits within a relational
database environment
b. The REA provides a structured approach for modelling business processes
c. The REA model consists of resources, events, and agents.
d. The REA model provides a template for a data model that can be applied in an
accounting information system.

19. Duality in the REA model refers to:

a. Debits equaling credits when recording a transaction

b. The relationship between events that bring about an increase and decrease in resources
c. An event can only relate to one resource and each event can only relate to one other
event
d. Each event needing two related agents - an internal and external agent

20. In the REA diagram shown above, the event that causes an increase is:

a. Customer order
b. Inventory
c. Customer payment
d. Cash

21. The event that causes a decrease is:

a. Customer order
b. Inventory
c. Customer payment
d. Cash

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22. The resource that decreases is:

a. Customer order
b. Inventory
c. Customer payment
d. Cash

23. The resource that increases is:

a. Customer order
b. Inventory
c. Customer payment
d. Cash

24. Which of the following is NOT true about the differences between REA and ER diagrams?

a. ER diagrams do not have events.

b. REA does not show cardinalities.
c. In an REA diagram, entities are sorted into separate columns.
d. Both REA and ER diagrams show relationships.

25. The client-server architecture is based on three major components, namely:

a. PCs, servers, and network

b. Hardware, software, and people
c. Hardware, software, and communications middleware
d. Computers, network, and people

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26. Which of the following combinations regarding the client-server architecture is correct?

a. A thin client with a fat server

b. A thin client with a thin server
c. A fat client with a fat server
d. None of the above

27. In a client-server architecture, the concept of 'thin' means:

a. Slim tower design of the computer case

b. Laptop computers are less bulky
c. The computer conducts minimal processing
d. None of the above

28. In a client-server architecture, the concept of 'fat' means:

a. The computer conducts most of the processing

b. Generous space exists in the computer case for extra components
c. Bulky laptops
d. None of the above

29. Client-server systems can normally be classified as:

a. Single-tier and multiple-tier

b. Two-tier and three-tier
c. Internal-tier and external-tier
d. Single-tier and two-tier

30. In a client-server system, the client's request is handled by intermediate severs that coordinate
the execution of the client request with other servers. This is known as a:

a. Single-tier client-server system

b. Two-tier client-server system
c. Three-tier client-server system
d. Multiple-tier client-server system

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31. In a client-server system, which of the following software is loaded into the client
computers?

a. Front-end application software

b. Back-end application software
c. Communications middleware
d. All of the above

32. In an e-commerce environment:

a. An organisation can open up its database to its suppliers

b. An organisation can allow its employees to access internal databases from outside of
the company
c. An organisation can open up its database to its customers
d. All of the above.

33. If an organisation decided to open up its database to its suppliers, what are the concerns that
must be considered?

a. Implementing access security controls

b. The assignment of different user views to different users
c. The assignment of access levels and rights
d. All of the above

34. The client-server architecture may not:

a. Be built on independent hardware and software platforms

b. Optimise the distribution of processing activities using the comparative advantages of
each of the platform
c. Use a variety of techniques, methodologies and specialised tools to develop systems
that are user-friendly, cost-effective and communicative across all boundaries
d. Help organisations reducing their IT expenses

35. If an organisation decided to open up its database to its suppliers, it must:

a. Discuss with the suppliers how electronic connections are done

b. Discuss with the suppliers how relevant costs are shared
c. Discuss with the suppliers what data are actually needed by them
d. All of the above

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