Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &

Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

Tutorial 03

1. What is a database? Explain briefly

A database is an organized collection of structured information or data.
2. Give example situations in which databases are used.
In a hospital
In a bank
Library
A school
3. What is a database management system (DBMS)?
A database management system is a software to create and manage databases, allowing users to
create, read, update and delete data in a database.
4. Give example DBMS available.
Student Enrollment System
5. Compare and contrast different Data storage mechanisms.
Manual (file-based approach)
Uncontrolled Redundancy
Data inconsistence
Inflexibility
Limited data sharing
Poor enforcement of standards
Extensive program maintenance

Computerized

Controlled Redundancy
Data consistence
Flexibility
Unlimited data sharing
High enforcement of standards
No extensive program maintenance

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

6.
a) What is known as the ANSI/SPARC model? Give another name for the ANSI/SPARC model.

ANSI/SPARC is an abstract design standard for a database management system.

Another name- Three Schema Architecture

b) Draw the Three Schema Architecture. Name the three schemas.

External level External level

Logical Schema

Physical Schema

Database

c) Briefly explain the 3 schemas.

External level – Provides different views of the same database for a specific user or group of
users

Logical Schema- It explains what data to be stored in the database, what the data types are and
what relationships exist among those data.

Physical Schema- It describes how the data is stored in the database and provides methods to
access data from the database

d) What is the advantage of having the three-schema architecture?

Improved Scalability

e) What do you mean by logical data independence and physical data independence?

Physical data independence is concerned mainly on how data is stored in a given system

Logical Data Independence is concerned mainly with the changing definition of the data in a
system or its structure as a whole

7. ‘Sri Lankan Airline is the national carrier’.

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

a) What are possible data required by an airline system?

Details of Flights
Flight time schedules
Pilot and other employee information
Passenger information
Information on meals

b) Is it necessary for them to use a DBMS?

yes

8. Think of a DB of a bank.

a) What type of data would they store in their database?

Customer information
Employee information
Account information
Loan information

b) In the three-schema architecture where would you put details about above data?
Logical Schema
c) In the three-schema architecture which schema describes details about the type of file
organization used to store the above data?

Conceptual / Logical level

d) What is the advantage of using a DBMS for a bank?

Increased productivity

9. Consider the statement below,

“In Health Plus Hospital an admitted patient is assigned for a specific doctor for examination.
One doctor is assigned with many patients”

a) Identify entities and relationships.

b) Work out the cardinalities
c) Identify possible attributes for the entities
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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

d) Draw an ER diagram.

Assumptions
 Assumed that all hospitals have a unique hospital code
 Assumed that examination details of the patient have to be recorded

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

10. At Saegis degree courses are conducted. Students can enroll in degree courses. They have
to follow many units/subjects for a particular degree program. There is a well-qualified
academic staff to teach.

a) Identify the entities on the above scenario

b) Identify the relationships between entities.
c) Draw an ER diagram. Show some possible attributes for each entity and also
indicate the cardinalities.

Assumptions

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

 Assumed that a student has to be enrolled in at least one course

 Assumed that the enrolled date has to be recorded
 Assumed that a student can have more than one phone number
 Assumed that every institute has a unique institute number

11. Consider the following statement.

“Manufacturer orders parts from suppliers. A given manufacturer can order a particular
part from many suppliers”

a) Identify the entities.

b) Draw a suitable ER Diagram.

Assumption
 Assumed that one manufacturer can deal with many suppliers
 A supplier can supply many parts
 Each part has a unique name

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

12. Answer the questions considering the scenario given below.

Multicolor (Pvt) Ltd., a manufacturing company, is located at 35/1, Galle Road,

Colombo4. It has 6 departments: Production, Business Development, Human Resource
Management, Finance, IT and Research & Development.

Rosell, 23 years old, a diploma holder who is residing at 54/A, Kirula Road, Narahenpita
joined the company as a management trainee. She joined the Production department on
01/01/2005. When Rosell successfully completed her Commerce degree, she was
promoted as Finance Executive and transferred to the Finance department from
02/02/2006.

Considering her MBA qualification, the management of the company promoted her as
Assistant Manager - Business Development and transferred to the Business Development
department with effect from 03/03/2008.

a) Identify the entities and their attributes.

b) Draw an ER diagram to model the above scenario.

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

c) “The company expanded its operations in 2010. It opened branches in Kandy,

Mahiyanganaya, Kegalle, Biyagama, Katunayake and Galle. Now, each employee
works in one department and at a single location”. Modify the ER diagram to
illustrate the above scenario.

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

10
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

d) “The company has a medical scheme which covers the dependents of employees.
Dependents are identified by their names. Once an employee leaves the company,
the company no longer wants to keep his/her information”.

Modify the ER diagram to model the above scenario.

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science | Software Engineering &
Information Technology
CS/ SE/ IT 1105
Database Management Systems

Assumption

 Assumed that through the descriptive attribute employmnt_duration we can figure out
who has left the company and delete that employee’s information.

************ End of the tutorial *****************

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