ISTN3ND Database Textbook Question (PRACTISE QUESTIONS)
ISTN3ND Database Textbook Question (PRACTISE QUESTIONS)
PROBLEMS
1. The ABC Car Service & Repair Centers are owned by the Silent Car
Dealership; ABC services and repairs only silent cars. Three ABC centers
provide service and repair for the entire state. Each of the three centers is
independently managed and operated by a shop manager, a receptionist,
and at least eight mechanics. Each center maintains a fully stocked parts
inventory. Each center also maintains a manual file system in which each
car’s maintenance history is kept repairs made, parts used, costs, service
dates, owner, and so on. Files are also kept to track inventory, purchasing,
billing, employees’ hours, and payroll. You have been contacted by one of
the center’s managers to design and implement a computerized database
system. Given the preceding information, do the following:
a. Indicate the most appropriate sequence of activities by labeling each of
the following steps in the correct order. (For example, if you think that
“Load the database” is the appropriate first step, label it “1.”) Normalize
the conceptual model. Obtain a general description of company
operations. Load the database. Create a description of each system
process. Test the system. Draw a data flow diagram and system
flowcharts. Create a conceptual model using ER diagrams. Create the
application programs. Interview the mechanics. Create the file (table)
structures. Interview the shop manage
b. Describe the various modules that you believe the system should
include.
c. How will a data dictionary help you develop the system? Give examples.
d. What general (system) recommendations might you make to the shop
manager? For example, if the system will be integrated, what modules will
be integrated? What benefits would be derived from such an integrated
system? Include several general recommendations.
e. What is the best approach to conceptual database design? Why?
f. Name and describe at least four reports the system should have. Explain
their use. Who will use those reports?
2. Suppose that you have been asked to create an information system for
a manufacturing plant that produces nuts and bolts of many shapes, sizes,
and functions. What questions would you ask, and how would the answers
affect the database design? a. What do you envision the SDLC to be? b.
What do you envision the DBLC to be?
3. Suppose that you perform the same functions noted in Problem 2 for a
larger ware housing operation. How are the two sets of procedures
similar? How and why are they different?
4. Using the same procedures and concepts employed in Problem 1, how
would you create an information system for the Tiny College example in
Chapter 4?
5. Write the proper sequence of activities for the design of a video rental
database. (The initial ERD was shown in Figure 9.9.) The design must
support all rental activities, customer payment tracking, and employee
work schedules, as well as track which employees checked out the videos
to the customers. After you finish writing the design activity sequence,
complete the ERD to ensure that the database design can be successfully
implemented. (Make sure that the design is normalized properly and that
it can support the required transactions.)
6. In a construction company, a new system has been in place for a few
months and now there is a list of possible changes/updates that need to
be done. For each of the changes/updates, specify what type of
maintenance needs to be done: (a) corrective, (b) adaptive, and (c)
perfective.
a. An error in the size of one of the fields has been identified and it needs
to be updated status field needs to be changed.
b. The company is expanding into a new type of service, and this will
require to enhancing the system with a new set of tables to support this
new service and integrate it with the existing data. c. The company has to
comply with some government regulations. To do this, it will require
adding a couple of fields to the existing system tables.
7. You have been assigned to design the database for a new soccer club.
Indicate the most appropriate sequence of activities by labeling each of
the following steps in the correct order. (For example, if you think that
“Load the database” is the appropriate f irst step, label it “1.”)
Create the application programs. Create a description of each system
process. Test the system. Load the database. Normalize the conceptual
model. Interview the soccer club president. Create a conceptual model
using ER diagrams. Interview the soccer club director of coaching. Create
the file (table) structures. Obtain a general description of the soccer club
operations. Draw a data flow diagram and system flowcharts.