HOMEWORK 1 – Kastriot Sejdiji

1. This activity aims to develop your skills for locating, evaluating, and interpreting IT career information.
Use Internet resources provided by your teacher to identify a specific job that interests you in the IT
career field. Then, answer the following:

Database Administrator (DBA) as an example job in the IT field.

a) What are the typical tasks involved in this job?

 Monitoring database performance.
 Applying security measures to protect data.
 Setting up database systems.
 Installing,configuring and upgrading database software.
 Backing up and recovering data in case of loss.

Example:In a finance company, a DBA may oversee the management of costumer transaction
databases to ensure they are always available and secure.

b) What kind of social,problem-solving or technical skills are required?

 Social skills: Collaborating with other IT professionals or departments,explaining
database issues to non-technical staff.
 Problem-solving skills: They need to fic database performance issues,security breaches
and other technical problems.
 Technicall skills: They must be proeficient in database languages like SQL, understand
database management systems(Oracle,MySQL) and have knowladge of operating
systems.

Example: In a healthcare setting,a DBA may need to rapidly troubleshoot and resolve database
slowdowns to ensure patient data is accessible.

c) What are the physical demands of the job?

 Most of the job is done while seated at a computer,so the job has minimum physical
demands,and occasionally involves working after hours or during weekends for
database maintenance or emergency recovery operations.

Example: A DBA at a large retail company might need to perform system upgrade late at night to
avoid disrupting busniness operations.

d) What kind or training/education is required for the job?

 Typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science,information technology, or a related
field is required.Certifications and also experiences like internships or entry-level jobs,
like junior DBA or IT support, help build necessary skills.
 Example: In a tech company, having an OCP certification can significantly increase job prospects.

e) Where are current job openings?

 Openings can be found on job boards like LinkedIn,Indeed and Glassdor.

Example: Recently a Skopje-based IT company advertised an opening for a Junior Database

Administrator on Vrabotuvanje.mk, offering a salary range of 35,000 to 50,000 MKD per month.This
role involved monitoring and optimizing database performance, assisting with backups, and
supporting senior DBAs in managing databases for local and international clients.

f) How many different kinds of bussines use these job skills?

 Wide range of industries:Finance,healthcare,educations,government,retail,tech,etc.

Example:Bnks,hospitals,universities,and even e-commerce platforms all rely on DBAs to manage

customer,patient and user data effiency.

g) What is the salary range?

 In North Macedonia, the salary for DBA can vary based on experience,company size,and
the complexity of the databases being managed.For an entry-level DBA in smaller
companies earn around 35,000 to 50,000 MKD per month, mid-level in larger firms
from 50,000 to 70,000 per month, and for Senior DBAs or those working for
multinational companies from 70,000 or more,depending on the scope of the work.

Example:A senior DBA working for a large telecommunications company like Makedonski Telekom
could earn around 70,000 to 90,000 MKD per month.

h) What other entry-level jobs are within this career field?

 Entry-level jobs that can lead to career as a DBA include:
 Database Analyst-Focuses on data analysis and optimization within DB.
 Data Engineer-Develops pipelines for data movement and optimization.
 Junior Database AdministratorSupports senior DBAs,helping simpler tasks like
backups and security updates.
 IT Support Specialist

Example:A junior DBA at a tech startup may help manage smaller databases while learning
about cloud-based database management.

2. Describe how taking one of the Academy courses and earning a certification exam could help prepare
you for job in that career field!

 Taking Oracle Academy courses can help you by teaching you the fundamentals of database
design,SQL,and database administration, giving you hands-on experience with Oeacle DBMS.
These courses prepare you for Oracle Certification,which is highly regarded by employers and
 demonstrates a commitment to learning and expertise in database management.Certifications
can make you more competitive in the job market and improve your salary potential.

1-2 :Data vs Information

Vocabulary
A collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval: database
Raw material, from which you can draw conclusions: data
Knowledge,intelligence,a particular piece of data whith a special meaning or function: information

Try It / Solve It

1. List specific data that the school collects about each student.What information could be
gathered using all the student data?
 The school typically collects various types of information about each student,which can be
grouped into several categories, like personal information(Full name,date of
birth,gender,contact details etc).This information can help the school ensure proper
identification,communication and access to recources for student in case of emergencies.

2. Review an online database such as:

http://www.archives.gov
http://www.historyworld.net/
http://newdeal.feri.org/index.htm
http://www.loc.gov/
http://www.imdb.com/
a) Write examples of data and information related to one of the sites.
b) State why you believe data collections of this type could be important.
 I reviewed the loc.gov , the library of congress which holds a vast array of information like
historical documents,photographs,maps etc.Data collections like the LOC’s are essential for
preserving cultural heritage,supporting education and providing accessible recourses for
historical research.They enable the public and researches to explore original,primary
sources,which can help deepen understanding of historical events,societal changes and
human achievements over time.

3. Choose a website that displays data that might be stored in a database; find 10 data items on the
site and list 5 pieces of information that could be gleaned from the data.
 Im choosing Amazon,xhich stores a variety of data for each product ,for example
price,brand,category,customer ratings,customer reviews,stock availability,etc.From this data,it
can identify best-selling products,understand customer preferences,track pricing
trends,optimize inventory and assess product performance.This helps Amazon enhance
customer experience,personalize recommendations and manage stock efficiently.
4. Give examples of how data becomes information for these two industries:
 film/movie
 hospital/healthcare
 In the film/movie industry,data like box office earnings,viewer rating,case and release date is
collected.By analyzing this data,studios can sreate information such as identifying trendings
genres,popular actors etc.
 In the hospital/healthcare industry,data includes patient demographics,medical
history,diagnoses,treatments and recovery outcomes.When analyzed this data becomes
information that can reveal treatment effectiveness,predict patient outcomes etc.
 Summary:In both industries,raw data is transformed into actionable information.In film,it guides
content and marketing decisions,while in healthcare,it supports patient care improvements and
treatment effectiveness.

5. Using this Lunch Room Data Report, answer the questions that follow.

a. What does this report mean?

b. What data was collected?
c. What information does this table provide from the data collected?
d. How do you think this information is used by those reading the report?
e. Generate at least two conclusions based on the data provided.
f. Generate at least two questions that you would ask about the data provided.

 a)This report shows daily sales(from December 2nd-December 6th).It breaks down sales from
students and faculty/staff and by specific food stations.
 b)Sales from students and faculty/staff and sales from the Hamburger/Taco Bar,Pizza Bar and
Soup/Salad Bar.
 c)This table provides information about which food stations and customer types generate the
most sales each day.As we can see,student sales are higher that faculty/staff sales and the
hamburger/taco bar is the most popular food station.
 d)The information could be used to adjust inventory for different food stations based on their
popularity,schedule staff for busier days or plan promotions to boost sales in underperforming
areas.
  e)The hamburger/taco bar consistently generates the highest sales compared to the other food
stations and there was a big drop in the number of student sales on the 6th of December which
could indicate a decrease in demand or attendance that day.

1-3 :History of the database

Vocabulary

Try it / Solve it

1960s: creation of the hierarchical database model; development of the network

database model
1980s: introduction of relational database management systems (RDBMS);
standardization of SQL
1990s: emergence of object oriented database management systems (OODBMS);
growth of the internet and web databases
2000s: rise of NoSQL databases; adoption of cloud database services

2. True or False: The Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) was an important historical contribution in
database development and design.
 The Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) was an important historical
contribution in database development and design

3. Name two important historical contributions in database development and design

 Relational Database Model (1970s): Created by E.F. Codd, it organized data in tables,
forming the foundation of modern databases.
  SQL (1974): Developed as a standard language to manage and query relational
databases, making data access more efficient and user-friendly.

These innovations revolutionized structured data storage and retrieval.

4. If Building the database is the third major task in the database development process, then
what are the first two major tasks?

 Requirements Analysis: Gathering and defining what the database needs to support.
 Design: Creating the database structure, including tables, relationships, and constraints.

5. . (Optional) List at least three timeline events in the evolution of the database.

 1960s: Introduction of the first hierarchical and network databases (e.g., IBM's
IMS).
 1970s: Development of the relational database model by E.F. Codd.
 1980s: Commercialization of relational databases (e.g., Oracle, IBM DB2) and the
rise of SQL as a standard query language.

6. Here are four key events in the history of the Internet that you could include in your timeline:

1. ARPANET Launch (1969): Initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense’s ARPA, ARPANET
became the first operational packet-switching network, laying the groundwork for the
Internet. Key figure: Leonard Kleinrock.
2. TCP/IP Protocol Adoption (1983): The transition to the TCP/IP protocol suite
standardized communication across diverse networks, enabling the interconnected
Internet we use today. Key figure: Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn.
3. World Wide Web Invention (1989): Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web at
CERN, allowing for the use of hypertext to access information via the Internet. This
revolutionized how users interact with online content.
4. Commercialization of the Internet (1991): The Internet was opened to commercial use,
leading to the rise of businesses online. This shift transformed the Internet into a space
for commerce and communication. Key figure: Marc Andreessen (co-creator of
Netscape).

These events highlight the contributions of key individuals and organizations in shaping the
Internet as we know it today.
1-4 :Major Transformations in computing

Vocabulary

Try It / Solve It

1. Provide a definition and an example of each of these:

 Hardware:physical components of a computer,for example a hard drive or a keyboard

 Operating system:software that manages hardware and software resources,for example
windows or macOS
 Software:programs that perform tasks on a computer,for example microsoft word or
photoshop.

2. How has the major transformation of cell phones impacted day-to-day activities of a service
repair company – what can the service repair person do today that they could not do before
this transformation?
  The transformation of cell phones has significantly improved the day-to-day activities of
service repair companies. Technicians can now communicate in real time with
customers and colleagues, access manuals and troubleshooting resources on-site,
optimize their schedules and routes with mobile apps, and engage customers through
updates and invoices. These advancements enable service repair professionals to work
more efficiently and enhance customer satisfaction compared to the pre-smartphone
era.

3. List three e-businesses that use database software and describe how the database software
is being used.

1. Amazon: Amazon uses database software to manage vast amounts of product data,
customer information, and order histories. The database enables personalized
recommendations, inventory management, and efficient order processing.
2. eBay: eBay employs database software to track listings, auctions, and user accounts.
The database helps facilitate real-time bidding, monitor transactions, and maintain user
feedback and ratings, enhancing the marketplace experience.
3. Netflix: Netflix utilizes database software to manage user profiles, viewing histories, and
content libraries. The database supports personalized content recommendations and
analytics, helping Netflix optimize its offerings and user engagement.
These e-businesses rely on database software to enhance operations, improve user experience,
and drive engagement.

4. Write down the steps of a simple credit-card transaction. How many places does the
information go, and what happens if the transaction is not complete at any one of the steps?
What role does a database play in this process?

1. Authorization: The customer provides their credit card information to the merchant
(e.g., through a POS terminal or online).
2. Transaction Request: The merchant sends a transaction request to their payment
processor.
3. Payment Processor: The payment processor forwards the request to the card network
(e.g., Visa, MasterCard).
4. Issuer Approval: The card network sends the request to the issuing bank for approval.
5. Response: The issuing bank checks the customer’s account for sufficient funds and
either approves or declines the transaction.
6. Completion: The approval or decline is sent back through the card network to the
payment processor and then to the merchant.
7. Finalization: If approved, the merchant completes the transaction, and the funds are
transferred.

Information Flow and Potential Issues:

  The information travels through multiple places: merchant, payment processor, card
network, and issuing bank.
 If any step fails (e.g., insufficient funds, network issues), the transaction is declined, and
the customer may not receive the product or service.

Role of a Database:

Databases play a crucial role in storing and managing customer account information,
transaction histories, and approval processes. They enable quick retrieval and verification of
data, ensuring efficient processing of transactions. If a transaction fails, the database logs the
failure for auditing and security purposes.

2-1 : Conceptual and physical models

Vocabulary:

Try It / Solve It

2. Review the scenario below. Identify the conceptual model and the physical model from the
scenario

 he conceptual model in this scenario refers to Zoe’s understanding of her requirements

and expectations for the drink purchase. This includes the need for drinks for 48 people,
the types of drinks (carbonated, non-carbonated, and sugar-free), the payment method
(check), and assistance with carrying the drinks to her car. It outlines her high-level
needs and preferences without delving into the specifics of how the store operates.
 The physical model involves the actual automated drink distribution system within the
store. This includes the different package sizes (four-packs, six-packs, and ten-packs)
 available for dispensing, the specific vending options for selecting the drinks, and the
automation technology that facilitates the purchase process. It represents the tangible
elements and systems that Zoe interacts with when she enters the store.

3. . Provide five reasons for creating a conceptual data model.

 Clarity: provides a clear understanding of the business requirements and

data relationships, making it easier to communicate with stakeholders.
 Scope definition: helps define the scope of the project by identifying key entities and
their attributes, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
 Design foundation: serves as a foundation for creating more detailed physical models
and databases, guiding developers in implementation.
 Improved data quality: encourages better data quality by clarifying the rules and
relationships, leading to more accurate data collection and usage.
 Facilitates changes: makes it easier to adapt to changes in business processes or
requirements, as conceptual models can be updated without affecting the underlying
systems immediately.
4.List two examples of conceptual models and physical models

Conceptual Models

1. Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD): Represents entities, attributes, and relationships

between data without specifying how the data will be stored.
2. Unified Modeling Language (UML) Class Diagram: Illustrates classes, attributes, and
associations in a system, focusing on the structure and relationships of data.

Physical Models

1. Database Schema: Defines how data is organized in a database, including tables,

columns, data types, and constraints.
2. Data Dictionary: A detailed description of each data element, including its format,
constraints, and relationships, specifying how data is stored in a physical database.

2-2 :Entities,Instances,Attributes and Identifiers

Vocabulary
Abstract: Incapable of being perceived by the senses.
Key: Any combination of attributes and/or relationships that serves, in all cases, to uniquely
identify an instance of an entity.
Entity instance: An occurrence or example of an entity.
Attribute: A characteristic; something that describes, quantifies, or specifies an entity.
Optional: Not required.
Entity: A named thing or category of things that is significant to the business and about which
data must be known.
Null value: A value that is unavailable, unassigned, unknown, or empty; however, it is neither a
zero nor a space.
Mutable: Highly changeable.
Tangible: Perceptible to the senses, especially the sense of touch.
Data type: A classification identifying one of various types of data, stating the possible values
for that type, the operations that can be done on that type, and the way the values of that type
are stored.
Single valued: Can only have one value at any point for each instance in the entity.

Try It / Solve It
2. Think about the last time you went to get a haircut, permanent, manicure, or other service
from a barbershop or hair salon. Discuss the business of a barbershop or hair salon. Name the
entities that are the “main things” about this business. Give examples of instances for each
entity.

In a barbershop or hair salon, the business can be broken down into several key entities:

1. Clients: The customers who receive services.

o Example: A client getting a haircut or manicure.
2. Services: The specific offerings provided by the salon.
o Example: Haircuts, coloring, manicures, or beard trims.
3. Employees: The staff members who perform services and manage operations.
o Example: Stylists, barbers, and receptionists.
4. Appointments: Scheduled times for clients to receive services.
o Example: A client books an appointment for a haircut at 3 PM on Saturday.
5. Products: Items sold or used during services.
o Example: Hair shampoos, conditioners, styling products, or nail polish.

These entities work together to create a successful business, focusing on client satisfaction and
service quality

3. The goal of this activity is to learn to make a distinction between an entity, an attribute, and
an
instance of an entity. List which of the following concepts you think is an: entity, attribute,
instance.
Vehicle is an entity with "Toyota Camry" as an example instance.
Diet Cola is an instance of a beverage category.
Price and Customer number are attributes associated with products or customers.
Green can be an attribute representing a color.
Cookie is an entity with "Chocolate Chip Cookie" as an instance, and
"Flavor" is an attribute
related to cookies.
Order is another entity related to the purchase of cookies or products, with "Customer
Order
#1234”; as an instance.

4. The three entities that play a role in a DJ business: SONG, EVENT, and CUSTOMER are listed
as
the first three column headings of the table below. The fourth column contains a collection of
attributes. Use a check mark to indicate if the attribute listed could be an attribute for the
entities listed. (For example, could Title be an attribute for Song, for Event, and for Customer?)

5. Title and Description are attributes for SONG.

Venue is an attribute for EVENT.
First Name, Phone Number, Last Name, and Email Address are attributes for CUSTOMER.
Release date and Type are attributes for SONG.

From the list of attributes provided, identify which attribute could be the unique identifier of
each entity.
Entity: STUDENT; Attributes: student id, first name, last name, address
Entity: MOVIE; Attributes: title, date released, producer, director
Entity: LOCKER; Attributes: size, location, number

6. Read the given business scenario and walk through the steps below. “I’m the owner of a
small
movie rental store. We have over 3,000 movies that we need to keep track of. “Each of our
movies has a DVD or VHS tape number. For each movie, we need to know its title and category
(e.g., comedy, suspense, drama, action, war, or sci-fi). “Yes, we do have multiple copies of many
of our movies. “We give each movie a specific ID, and then track which DVD or VHS contains the
movie. A movie can be either DVD or VHS format. “We always have at least one DVD or VHS
tape for each movie we track, and each DVD or VHS tape is always a copy of a single, specific
movie. “Our DVDs and VHS tapes are very long. We don’t have any movies that require multiple
DVDs or VHS tapes.” a. Write a list of nouns used in the scenario. b. Name each entity. c. Is each
instance of the entity uniquely identifiable? Which attribute or attributes could serve as the
unique attribute to identify the entity?
Nouns used in the scenario: owner, movie, store, DVD, VHS tape, number, title, category,
copies, ID, format.
b. Entities: movie, format (DVD/VHS), copy (if considering each individual DVD or VHS as a
distinct entity)
c. Unique identifiability of each instance:
1. Movie
o Is it uniquely identifiable? Yes, each movie can be uniquely identified by its ID.
o Unique Attribute: ID
2. Format (DVD/VHS)
o Is it uniquely identifiable? Not necessarily on its own, as multiple copies of the
same movie can exist in both formats.
o Unique Attribute: When combined with the Movie ID and the tape number, it
can identify each format instance.

3. Copy (individual DVD/VHS)

o Is it uniquely identifiable? Yes, each copy of a movie is uniquely identifiable.
o Unique attribute: DVD/VHS tape number (since each tape contains a specific
movie).

Age is an example of what type of attribute?

Age is an example of a quantitative attribute or numerical attribute. It represents a measurable
quantity that can be expressed as a number.

Birth date is an example of what type of attribute?

Birth date is an example of a temporal attribute or date attribute. It represents a specific point
in time and is used to indicate when an event (in this case, birth) occurred.

Read the business scenario of a fast-food restaurant below: We are a small fast food business.
Our menu features food items that can be ordered by a customer. A customer places an order
at the counter and indicates what food items he/she would like on that order. Lately we have
noticed that we have some regular customers, so we started asking them for information -
such as name and address, so we can mail them coupons when we have specials. a. Using the
restaurant entities ORDER, FOOD ITEM, AND CUSTOMER, identify the attributes for each entity.
b. Where possible, indicate whether the attribute is mandatory or optional. c. Where possible,
pick out the UIDs for each entity
Attributes for each entity
ORDER: Order ID (UID), Customer ID (foreign key), Order Date, Total Amount, Status (Optional)
FOOD ITEM: Food Item ID (UID), Name, Description (Optional), Price, Category (Optional)
CUSTOMER: Customer ID (UID), Name, Address, Phone Number (Optional), Email Address
(Optional)
b. Mandatory or optional attributes
ORDER: All mandatory except Status (Optional).
FOOD ITEM: Description and Category (Optional); others are mandatory.
CUSTOMER: Phone Number and Email Address (Optional); others are mandatory.
c. Unique identifiers
ORDER: Order ID
FOOD ITEM: Food Item ID
CUSTOMER: Customer ID

2-3:Entity Relationship Modeling and ERDs

Vocabulary
Logical model: Not dependent on the physical model.
Data model diagram: A drawing that is used to represent a data model.\

Try It / Solve It
True or False: To be described as implementation-free, a data model must be changed to
accommodate the database system onto which it is built

True or False: To be described as implementation-free, a data model must not change to

accommodate the database system onto which it is built.

List four goals of entity relationship modeling:

To create a clear picture of how data is organized and connected.
To clarify what data is needed for the system.
To help in planning how the database will be structured.
To make it easier for everyone involved to understand the data model.

An entity relationship model (ERM) is a consistent tool that can be used to represent data
requirements regardless of the type of database used.