Assign 2

Ch 2 .. Review Questions:

1- Define the following terms: data model, database schema, database state, internal
schema, conceptual schema, external schema, data independence, DDL, DML, SDL,
VDL, query language, host language, data sublanguage, database utility, catalog,
client/server architecture, three-tier architecture,and n-tier arc hitecture.
Data model is an abstract model which organizes and describes data, how each element of data relates with another
Database schema is a description of a database which is made during database design to best fit the needs of future users.
It is not expected to change frequently.
Database state or snapshot is the data in the database at a particular moment in time (since the data in the database may
change frequently). Other name for it is the current set of occurrences or instances in the database
Internal schema the internal level to describes the physical storage structure of the database.
Conceptual schema conceptual level of three-schema architecture for database systems. It describes the structure of the
database for a community of users. Conceptual schema doesn't give details of physical storage structures, but it rather
describes entities, data types, relationships, user operations and constraints

External schema the external level to describe the

various user views.
Data independence is the capacity to change the schema at one level of a database system without having to change the
schema at a higher level.
DDL or data definition language Used by the DBA and database designers to specify the conceptual schema of a database.
● The DDL is also used to define:
● Internal schema: Storage Definition Language (SDL)
● External schemas (views): View Definition Language (VDL)

DML or data manipulation langugage is a set of operations used to manipulate the database (retrieval, insertion, deletion
and modification of data).
SDL or storage definition language is used to specify the internal schema in DBMS where there is a clear separation
between the conceptual and internal level
VDL or view definition language would be used for three-schema architecture to specify user views and their mappings
to the conceptual schema.
Query language is a high-level data manipulation language (DML) used in a standalone interactive manner
Host language is a general-purpose programming language which has DML commands. The belonging DML is called the
data sublanguage
Database utilities help the database administrator in managing the database system. Types of functions in utilities:
loading, backup, database storage reorganization and performance monitoring.
Catalog is used for storage of schema descriptions by the DBMS

Client/server architecture
Client: is a user machine that provides user interface
capabilities and local processing.
● A Client can access the specialized servers as needed.
Server: is a system containing both hardware and software
that can provide services to the client machine

Three-tier architecture is a type of basic DBMS architecture created on client/server framework. This architecture adds
intermediate layer (middle tier called application server of Web server) between the client and the database server. This
intermediate layer runs application programs and stores business rules that are used to access data from the database
server
n-tier architecture, where n may be four or five, gives an architecture which divides the layers between user and the stored
data into finer components. Usually the business logic layer is divided into multiple layers. This kind of architecture gives
the advantage that any one tier can run on an appropriate processor or operating system platform and can be handled
independently.

2- Discuss the main categories of data models. What are the basic differences
among the relational model, the object model, and the XML model?
High-level, representational, and low-level models are the three primary types of data models.
Conceptual data models, also known as high-level or conceptual data models, make use of ideas like entities, their
characteristics, and their relationships. The user can see and comprehend those data. The second is that although they can
be directly implemented on a computer system, representational or implementation (not a common phrase) data models
conceal a lot of information about data storage on disk. Thus, the user can view and comprehend some of the data from
this model, but not all of it. Finally, there are physical or low-level data models that offer ideas that explain specifics of
how data is kept on computer storage. Those ideas are not intended for users, but rather for computer experts.

The relational, object, and XML models differ primarily in that the former displays data and relationships in tables, the
latter is inspired by object-oriented programming, which results in objects and classes, and the latter is a tree-structured
data model.

3- What is the difference between a database schema and a database state?

Defined during the design stage, a database schema is a description of the database that is not likely to change often.
However, when the needs of the database application change, adjustments could be necessary. It acts as the database's
.overall structural framework

.The actual data or content kept in the database at a given point in time, however, is referred to as the database state

For instance, changing the values of the database's data items alters the database's present state but leaves the database's
.general structure (database schema) unaltered

4- Describe the three-schema architecture. Why do we need mappings among

schema levels? How do different schema definition languages support this architecture?
Three-schema architecture separates the user applications from the physical database by defining schemas at three
.different levels: internal level, conceptual level and external level

.Internal level has internal schema which describes physical storage structure of the database

Conceptual level has conceptual schema which concentrates on describing entities, data types, relationships, user
.operations and constraints. It does not deal with the details of physical storage

External level includes external schemas. Particular user group has particular view of the database which particular
.external schema describes

Every user group has a unique perspective, meaning it makes use of its own external schema. The DBMS must convert
the request from a specific user group specified on its external schema into a familiar conceptual schema request (lower
level) and then into an internal schema request (just above the physical level, that is, the stored database) in order to
access the actual data stored on a physical level. Mapping is the process of changing the request and providing the
.accurate external representation of the outcome
The view definition language is used for three-schema architectures (VDL). It outlines user perspectives and how they
relate to the conceptual framework. In most DBMSs DDL is still used to define conceptual and external schemas. In
.relational database management systems, SQL is used to define user or application views in place of the VDL

5- What is the difference between logical data independence and physical data
independence? Which one is harder to achieve? Why?
Logical data independence - change of conceptual schema, without change of the external schemas or application
.programs

.Logical data independence is harder to achieve

.Physical data independence - change of internal schema, without change of the conceptual schema

6- What is the difference between procedural and nonprocedural DMLs?

Nonprocedural DML: can be used on their own, set-at-a-time or set-oriented DML, usually used by casual end users.
Procedural DML: must be embedded in a general-purpose programming language, record-at-time DML, typically used by
programmers.

7- Discuss the different types of user-friendly interfaces and the types of users
who typically use each
The user is guided through the process of composing the request. by a list of options (menus) in menu-based interfaces for
Web clients or Browsing. Pull-down menus are common in browsing interfaces and Web-based user interfaces.
8- With what other computer system software does a DBMS interact?
OS, compiler, application servers, client programs

9- What is the difference between the two-tier and three-tier And client/server
architectures?
The client and server are the two tiers in a two-tier architecture, while the application server or Web server is an additional
layer that sits in between the client and server in a three-tier architecture.

10- Discuss some types of database utilities and tools and their functions.
The task of importing pre-existing data files into the database falls to a loading utility. Data from the source format is
automatically reformatted to fit the file structure of the target database. Conversion tools that create loading scripts based
on source and target database storage descriptions are offered by some vendors. Therefore, loading data is this utility's
main purpose.

Database systems are designed using CASE tools to help with modeling and structuring.
Database applications are created using application development environments (like PowerBuilder and JBuilder). They
streamline the development process by helping with database design, GUI creation, querying, and updating.
.

11-What is the additional functionality incorporated in n-tier architecture (n < 3)?

The advantage of n-tier architecture in applications and also the additional functionality is distributing programming and
data throughout network