MCQ – Chapter 1

1. Which of the following is NOT listed as a common use of database systems?

a) Purchasing items from a supermarket
b) Conducting scientific experiments
c) Booking a holiday at a travel agent
d) Using the local library
Answer: b) Conducting scientific experiments

2. What is a primary characteristic of a file-based system?

a) Centralized data control
b) Shared collection of data
c) Each program defines and manages its own data
d) Data independence
Answer: c) Each program defines and manages its own data

3. Which of the following problems is associated with the file-based approach?

a) Centralized data control
b) Controlled redundancy
c) Limited data sharing
d) Data independence
Answer: c) Limited data sharing

4. What is the definition of a database according to the lecture?

a) An unstructured collection of random data
b) A centralized repository for multimedia files
c) An organized collection of logically related data
d) A temporary storage for volatile data
Answer: c) An organized collection of logically related data

5. Which term describes data that has been processed to increase knowledge for
the user?
a) Metadata
b) Information
c) Structured data
d) Unstructured data
Answer: b) Information

6. What role does metadata play in a database system?

a) It describes the properties and context of user data.

b) It provides storage for multimedia files.
 c) It enhances the visual quality of data.
d) It acts as a temporary storage medium.
Answer: a) It describes the properties and context of user data.

7. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of the database approach over file-
based systems?
a) Controlled redundancy
b) Centralized control of data
c) Limited data sharing
d) Better data integrity

8. What does a Database Management System (DBMS) typically provide?

a) Hardware for data storage
b) Software for creating and maintaining databases
c) Manual methods for data processing
d) A collection of unrelated data files
Answer: b) Software for creating and maintaining databases

9. Which of the following is a typical function of a DBMS?

a) Manual data entry
b) Physical file sorting
c) Querying and generating reports
d) Paper-based data storage
Answer: c) Querying and generating reports

10. Who are considered "actors on the scene" in the DBMS environment?
a) Database administrators and designers
b) Hardware engineers
c) Network administrators
d) System operators
Answer: a) Database administrators and designers

11. What is a key advantage of using a DBMS?

a) High initial investment cost
b) Increased data redundancy
c) Controlled access and data integrity
d) Limited support for concurrent users
Answer: c) Controlled access and data integrity

12. When might a DBMS be unnecessary?

a) When the database is complex and frequently changing
b) When there are stringent real-time requirements
c) When multiple users need concurrent data access
d) When robust security measures are needed
 Answer: b) When there are stringent real-time requirements

13. What does the term 'data independence' refer to?

a) Data that is dependent on specific applications
b) Separation of data descriptions from the application programs
c) Data that is dependent on hardware configurations
d) Data stored in a centralized location
Answer: b) Separation of data descriptions from the application programs

14. Which type of end-user accesses the database occasionally when needed?
a) Casual user
b) Naïve user
c) Database administrator
d) Database designer
Answer: a) Casual user

15. What is one of the main disadvantages of the file processing system?
a) High level of data security
b) Centralized control of data
c) Program-data dependence
d) Efficient data sharing
Answer: c) Program-data dependence

16. Which of the following is a typical example of a database application?

a) Writing a book
b) Using the Internet
c) Painting a picture
d) Driving a car
Answer: b) Using the Internet

17. What is a significant disadvantage of using a file processing system?

a) Ease of maintenance
b) Low cost of implementation
c) Duplication of data
d) High performance
Answer: c) Duplication of data

18. In a database context, what does the term 'data redundancy' refer to?
a) Storing data in multiple formats
b) Having multiple copies of the same data in different places
c) Using the same data for different purposes
d) Compressing data to save space
Answer: b) Having multiple copies of the same data in different places
19. Which of the following functions is NOT typically performed by a DBMS?
a) Data retrieval
b) Data insertion
c) Data deletion
d) Physical file storage
Answer: d) Physical file storage

20. What type of data is described as 'structured'?

a) Text documents
b) Video files
c) Dates
d) Images
Answer: c) Dates

21. Which of the following describes 'unstructured' data?

a) Numbers
b) Text
c) Dates
d) Images
Answer: d) Images

22. Which characteristic is a primary advantage of the database approach?

a) Program-data dependence
b) Centralized control of data
c) High maintenance cost
d) Data redundancy
Answer: b) Centralized control of data

23. What is an example of metadata?

a) Raw data entered by users
b) Description of data types and field sizes
c) Processed data used for decision making
d) User-generated content
Answer: b) Description of data types and field sizes

24. Which of the following is a typical characteristic of a DBMS?

a) Manual data processing
b) Program-data independence
c) High data redundancy
d) Limited data sharing
Answer: b) Program-data independence
25. Who is responsible for defining the content, structure, and constraints of a
database?
a) End-user
b) Database designer
c) Database administrator
d) System operator
Answer: b) Database designer

26. What is the main goal of data abstraction in a database system?

a) To provide a physical view of data
b) To simplify user interaction with data
c) To increase data redundancy
d) To limit data sharing
Answer: b) To simplify user interaction with data

27. Which database user role involves maintaining the database and associated
programs over its lifetime?
a) Database designer
b) End-user
c) Database administrator
d) System operator
Answer: c) Database administrator

28. When is using a DBMS not recommended?

a) When high security is needed
b) When multiple users access data concurrently
c) When data complexity is high
d) When real-time performance is critical
Answer: d) When real-time performance is critical

29. What is meant by 'program-data independence' in the context of a DBMS?

a) Programs are dependent on specific data formats
b) Programs are separate from data definitions and structures
c) Programs and data are stored together
d) Data structures are hard-coded into programs
Answer: b) Programs are separate from data definitions and structures

30. Which feature of a DBMS helps in preventing unauthorized access to data?

a) Data redundancy
b) Data integrity constraints
c) Security measures
d) Data independence
Answer: c) Security measures
31. What is the function of a system catalog (metadata) in a database system?
a) To store user-generated content
b) To provide a description of the database data
c) To manage hardware resources
d) To handle data input and output operations
Answer: b) To provide a description of the database data

32. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using the database approach?
a) Data independence
b) Controlled redundancy
c) Enhanced data integrity
d) High development cost
Answer: d) High development cost

33. What does 'data sharing' in a DBMS context imply?

a) Each program maintains its own data
b) Data is only accessible to one user at a time
c) Multiple users can access and modify data concurrently
d) Data is duplicated across multiple systems
Answer: c) Multiple users can access and modify data concurrently

34. Which of the following is a primary task of a database administrator?

a) Developing database applications
b) Monitoring and optimizing database performance
c) Creating data models
d) Writing queries for data retrieval
Answer: b) Monitoring and optimizing database performance

35. What is meant by 'data integrity' in the context of databases?

a) The ability to recover data after a failure
b) Consistency and accuracy of data within the database
c) The ability to share data among multiple users
d) The separation of data from application programs
Answer: b) Consistency and accuracy of data within the database

36. Which type of data model uses entities, attributes, and relationships?
a) Hierarchical model
b) Network model
c) Relational model
d) Object-oriented model
Answer: c) Relational model
37. What is the primary purpose of a database schema?
a) To store user queries
b) To define the logical structure of the database
c) To manage user sessions
d) To handle data encryption
Answer: b) To define the logical structure of the database

38. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a database administrator?

a) Database tuning
b) Writing application programs
c) Backup and recovery management
d) User account management
Answer: b) Writing application programs

39. What does the term 'data consistency' imply in a database system?
a) Data can be accessed by multiple users simultaneously
b) Data remains accurate and synchronized across the database
c) Data can be processed at high speeds
d) Data is stored in multiple locations
Answer: b) Data remains accurate and synchronized across the database

40. Which of the following is an example of a logical data model?

a) File system
b) ER (Entity-Relationship) model
c) Hardware storage schema
d) Data encryption protocol
Answer: b) ER (Entity-Relationship) model

41. What is the primary goal of a DBMS's query processor?

a) To store large volumes of data
b) To interpret and execute database queries
c) To design database schemas
d) To manage hardware resources
Answer: b) To interpret and execute database queries

42. Which term describes the duplication of data in multiple files or databases?
a) Data integration
b) Data redundancy
c) Data independence
d) Data normalization
Answer: b) Data redundancy