Chapter 18 (DATABASES)

Q1. What is Database?

A database is a collection of information which is structured in some way to permit

manipulation and searching of data. It is a reservoir which stores data. We can also say
that data about data is also called a database.

Q2. What are the fundamental building blocks of the database?

The database structure and the queries are the fundamental building blocks of the
database.

Q3. What is RDBMS?

A relational Database management system is a type of DBMS where the data is stored in
multiple tables that are related/linked to each other.

Q4. Write down the advantages of a DBMS.

 Organized way of storing data

 Retrieval of information
 Standardization of data
 Reduced redundancy
 Sharing of data
 Security of data
 Data integrity is maintained

Q5. What is DBMS?

Database management system is a software package that manages a database system,

it manages,

 Structure of individual data files

 Relationship between data items and between data files
 How the data is interrogated?
 The properties of the DB, i.e. ensuring that all queries, updating and amendments
to structure are processed reliably

Q6. What are Hierarchical and Network database management system?

Hierarchical DB management system: It uses a tree like structure similar to family

tree system. These are no longer used as a form of file management to any extent, as
they suffer from the problem of one-way relationships. Its main use is in file organization
within computer directory structures.

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Network DB management system: It was developed to overcome a lot of faults of

the hierarchical DBMS. Although this technology is outdated but many existing databases
still relay on it. Another type of network DB is stored on one device but can be accessed
from a number of locations using LAN or WAN.

Q7. Define the following terms used in databases.

Table: It is a collection of rows and columns forming cells which are used to store data
in a structured / organized manner in a database.

Record: It is a collection of related fields. Each row in the table corresponds to one
record.

Field: They are different categories within a table. Each column index is the field name
in the table.

Query: It is used to filter data from the table based on some conditions.

Form: It is a user-friendly way of entering, displaying and editing data stored in the
table.

Macros: They allow you to automate common tasks. A macro is a sequence of instruction
that can be carried out with a single click of mouse button.

Primary key: It is a field which uniquely identifies each record in a database table.

Foreign Key: A foreign key is a set of attributes in a table that refers to the primary key
of another table. The foreign key links two tables. The property that relates an entity to
a primary key in another entity.

Entity: A thing that is recognized as being capable of an independent existence, which

can be uniquely identified and about which data can be stored.

Q8. What is meant by data integrity? What are two types of data integrity?

A. Data integrity refers to correctness and consistency of data. It indicates data accuracy
and consistence. It is a form of data protection. There are two types of integrity rules.
These are entity integrity and referential integrity

Q9. What is normalization?

It is the process of converting complex data structure into simple and stable data
structure.

Q10. What is an integer?

A whole number with no decimal places.

Q11. What is Referential integrity?

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It is preventing the orphan records to be left behind. It allows to show the relationship
type between different fields from different tables above the bar.

Q12. What is an orphan record?

Such records that reference records in other tables that no longer exists.

Q13. What is a data entry form?

A form with the help of which data can be input into a particular table.

Q14. Name the types of relationships that exist in databases.

 one-to-one
 one-to-many
 many-to-many

Q15. What is a design wizard?

An online tool that takes a user through the steps of designing something e.g. a form or
a report.

Q16. What is the difference between columnar and tabular form?

Columnar form Tabular form

A form that displays one record at a time A form that displays multiple records at the
same time

Q17. What is a property sheet?

A. It is a list of all the settings for all of the items, e.g. field, label, heading on a form etc.

Q18. What are controls?

Controls are parts of a form or report used to display and manipulate data.

Q19. Using an example give one reason why flat-file databases are used in
certain applications rather than relational databases

Reason:

The data is in a list. There is only a small amount of data and a single table is used.

Example:

A list having Student names, DOB, Grade, section and addresses in a CSV file

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Q20. Compare and contrast Relational database with flat-file databases? Your
answer must include similarities and differences.

Q21.

Complete the following table filling in the field names and most appropriate
datatypes to create the database using information given above. For any
numeric field specify the type of number.

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Text / alphanumeric

Boolean

Service_Interval

Number: Currency

Model

Date / time

Q22. A school library has a file for storing details of the books it has and a file
for storing details of its borrowers. The files are linked using a common field.

Book file

Number
Code Title Author Published Cost
in stock

Simon
1857028898 Air wolf 1999 10 £20
Simpson

The call of David

3253265588 2010 20 £29
duty warner

Bermuda
0992323667 Smith gold 1998 100 £100
triangle

Artificial Dietal and

9908937380 2010 200 £80
intelligence dietal

Time and Issac

6575877757 1965 10 £35
space travel Newton

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Borrower file

Book Due back

Number Name From
borrowed date

Muhammad
0102 10 GED 1857028898 10/06/2015
Hussam Tohan

Muhammad
1092 10 GED 3253265588 12/05/2010
Rawas

Ghaniya Talib
1097 10 IGCSE 0992323667 06/0/2010
Al Harthy

0611 Asim 10 GED 9908937380 10/10/2010

Answer questions related to the database tables.

1) How many records and fields are there in the book file? Records: 5 Fields: 6

2) Which type of database these two files form? Relational database

3) Give two reasons why this type of database system is used rather than having two
flat files.
Reduced redundancy
Quick retrieval of records

4) Which field has the data type currency? Cost

5) What data type would be most appropriate for the Due back field? Date

6) How many records and fields are there in the borrower file? Records: 4 Fields: 5

7) Which field is the primary key in the book file? Code

8) Which field is the foreign key? Book borrowed

9) Name the most appropriate validation check for the number in stock field.

Range check Limit check

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Q23. What is a CSV file?

CSV stands for comma separated values file. It is a file format which is considered as
text file format. This file format can be used on data saved in a table structure format,
such as a spreadsheet or database, where each value is separated by a comma. This
type of file occupies very small space and can be easily imported in different
applications.

Q24. What are logical operators?

Operators such as AND, OR, NOT which help us to perform comparisons

Q25. What are Wildcards?

Wildcards are characters that can stand for unknown characters. Some of the most
commonly used wildcard characters and their meanings are described in the table
below.

Q26. What are functions?

Functions are build in formula in MS Access, MS Excel. It is block of reusable code that
can be used to perform an action like addition, average, number of values etc.
Example:
=sum(a10:a20)
=average(a10:a20)
=count(c10:c100)

Q27. What is a formula?

Arithmetical operations carried out on the contents of the cells. Like addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division etc.

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Q28. What are Search operators?

Such operators which help to find a specific record based on a criteria. The table below
shows some search operators which can be used in MS Access database.

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