(a) What is the primary function of the Database Management System in the

three-level architecture?
(b) What are contents defined by scheme.

(c) Using the ER model, demonstrate how to represent a many-to-many

relationship with an associative entity. Provide an example.

(d) Design an ER model for a university database, including entities, attributes,

relationships, and cardinalities. Provide an example of how this model could
be used to represent student enrollment in courses.
OR
Explain the principles of hierarchical data modeling and how it can be
applied to represent organizational structures in a large corporation. Provide an
example scenario illustrating the hierarchical relationships between entities
like "Department" and "Employee."
Q.2 (a) What does the DIVISION operator in relational algebra represent?

(b) What is the function of primary key ?

(c) What is referential integrity in a relational database, and why is it

essential for maintaining data consistency?

(d) Discuss the significance of a Composite Key in a relational

database. Provide an example scenario where a Composite Key is
necessary and explain how it differs from a single-column primary
key.
 OR
Describe the role of the WHERE clause in SQL queries. Provide an
example query with a WHERE clause and discuss how it filters
roÄvs based on specified conditions
 (a) In a functional dependency A B, what does B depend on? o
(b) What is partial dependency?

(c) Why is achieving Second Normal Form (2NF) important, and how
does it difTer from First Normal Form (INF)?

(d) What is decomposition in the context of database design, and how

does it contribute to the normalization process? Explain with an
example.

OR

Explain Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) in the context of

database normalization and discuss the conditions that must be
satisfied for a relation to be in BCNF. Provide an illustrative
example to demonstrate the application of BCNF in database
design.

Q.4 (a) Which term is used to describe a situation where two or more
transactions are waiting indefinitely for each other to release locks,
leading to a system standstill?
What are the techniques for concurrency control?

(b)

(c) Explain the concept of Atomicity in ACID properties. How docs

it ensure the reliability of transactions in a database, and provide
an example scenario to illustrate its application?

(d) Explain the concept of two-phase commit (2PC) in the context

of distributed transactions. How does it coordinate the commit

or rollback process across multiple nodes, and provide an
example scenario to illustrate its application?
OR

Discuss the difference between physical and logical logging in the

context of transaction logging. How do these logging methods
 impact the efficiency of error recovery, and provide an example
scenario to illustrate their usage?

Q.5 (a) What is the primary advantage of using multi-level indexing in

databases?

(b) How B Tree can be used in indexing.

(c) How does a hash function contribute to data integrity in
databases?
(d) Discuss how clustered indexes and covering indexes contribute to
enhancing the efficiency of range queries, and provide an
example scenario showcasing the benefits of these indexing
strategies.
OR
Assess the significance of primary indexes in a database. Explain
how a primary index enhances data retrieval efficiency, and
provide an example scenario illustrating the benefits of a well-
designed primary index.
I can answer your questions in the requested format:

(a) Short Answer:

The primary function of the Database Management System (DBMS) in the three-
level architecture is to act as an intermediary between users and the actual physical
database. It manages data access, manipulation, and ensures data integrity and
security.

(b) Short Answer:

In a database schema, the schema defines the overall structure of the database,
including the definition of tables, their attributes (columns), data types, constraints
(like primary and foreign keys), and relationships between tables.

(c) Long Answer:

Entity-Relationship (ER) Modeling and Associative Entities:
The ER model visually represents entities (real-world objects) and their relationships
in a database. A many-to-many relationship occurs when a single entity instance can
be associated with multiple instances of another entity, and vice versa.

Associative Entities:

To represent a many-to-many relationship, an associative entity is introduced. This

entity has attributes specific to the relationship and foreign keys connecting it to the
original entities.

Example: Students and Courses

Imagine tables for Students and Courses. A student can enroll in multiple courses,
and a course can have many students. An associative entity named "Enrollment" can
be created with attributes like "enrollment_id" (primary key), "student_id" (foreign key
referencing Students), "course_id" (foreign key referencing Courses), and potentially
"semester" or "grade."

(d) Very Long Answer:

ER Model for a University Database:

Here's an ER model design for a university database:

 Entities:
o Student (attributes: student_id, name, major, etc.)
o Course (attributes: course_id, name, department, credits, etc.)
o Department (attributes: department_id, name, college, etc.)
o Professor (attributes: professor_id, name, department, etc.) (Optional)
 Relationships:
o A Student ENROLLS_IN many Courses (Many-to-Many, with
Enrollment as the associative entity)
o A Course belongs to a DEPARTMENT (One-to-Many)
o A Professor TEACHES many Courses (Many-to-Many, optional
depending on the data model)
Cardinalities:
 A Student can enroll in many Courses (1:N)
  A Course can have many Students enrolled (N:1)
 A Department can have many Courses (1:N)
 A Course belongs to one Department (N:1)
 A Professor can teach many Courses (1:N) (Optional)
 A Course can be taught by many Professors (N:1) (Optional)
Example: Student Enrollment

Consider a student named Alice (student_id=100) who enrolls in courses "Database

Systems" (course_id=201) and "Software Engineering" (course_id=302). The
Enrollment table would have entries:

 enrollment_id=1, student_id=100, course_id=201

 enrollment_id=2, student_id=100, course_id=302

This demonstrates how the ER model with an associative entity effectively

represents student enrollment in courses.

Alternative: Hierarchical Data Modeling

Hierarchical data modeling organizes data in a tree-like structure, with a parent-child

relationship between entities. It's suitable for representing well-defined hierarchies,
like an organization.

Example: Corporation Structure

An "Employee" entity can be the child of a "Department" entity. A department can

have many employees (parent-child, one-to-many), and an employee belongs to one
department. This structure can extend further, with departments nested within larger
departments (parent-child hierarchy).

Choosing the Right Model:

The choice between ER and hierarchical models depends on the data structure. ER
models are more flexible for complex relationships, while hierarchical models excel
at representing strict hierarchies. The university database with its many-to-many
relationships would be better suited for an ER model.
I'll provide answers to your database-related questions, following the format you
requested:

(a) Short Answer: DIVISION Operator in Relational Algebra

The DIVISION operator in relational algebra performs a division operation between

two tables, resulting in a table with rows satisfying a specific condition. It's rarely
used in practice due to potential inefficiency and is often replaced by a combination
of JOINs and other operations.

(b) Short Answer: Primary Key Function

A primary key in a relational database table is a column (or a set of columns) that
uniquely identifies each row. It enforces data integrity by ensuring no duplicate
records exist.

(c) Long Answer: Referential Integrity and Data Consistency

Referential Integrity

Referential integrity is a database rule that maintains consistency between related

tables. It ensures that a foreign key value in one table (child table) references a valid
primary key value in another table (parent table). This prevents orphaned records
(child records referencing non-existent parent records) and enforces data
relationships.

Why Referential Integrity is Essential

 Data Accuracy: Referential integrity helps prevent inconsistencies by
ensuring foreign key values always point to valid primary key values.
 Data Updates: When a primary key value is updated in the parent table, the
corresponding foreign key values in the child table can be automatically
updated or deleted to maintain consistency (depending on the defined
referential actions like CASCADE, SET NULL, etc.).
 Data Deletion: Referential integrity also prevents orphaned records when a
parent record is deleted. You can define actions like RESTRICT (prevent
deletion if child records exist), CASCADE (delete child records), or SET NULL
(set foreign key to NULL in child records) to handle deletions gracefully.
(d) Very Long Answer: Significance of Composite Keys
Composite Keys

A composite key is a primary key consisting of two or more columns working

together to uniquely identify each row in a table. It's often used when a single column
might not be sufficient for guaranteed uniqueness.

Scenario: Library Management System

Imagine a library database with tables for Books and Borrowings. A single column
like "book_id" might not be unique if there are multiple editions of the same book.
Here, a composite key using "book_id" and "edition_number" would ensure unique
identification of each book instance.

Benefits of Composite Keys

 Uniqueness: Composite keys guarantee uniqueness when a single column
might not be sufficient.
 Natural Representation: In some cases, a combination of attributes naturally
identifies an entity, making a composite key more intuitive.
Differences from Single-Column Primary Keys
 Uniqueness: Single-column primary keys rely on a single column's values
being unique, while composite keys leverage a combination of columns.
 Flexibility: Composite keys offer more flexibility when uniqueness isn't
guaranteed by a single column.
 Natural Representation: Composite keys can sometimes better reflect how
entities are naturally identified in the real world.
Choosing Between Single-Column and Composite Keys:

If a single column inherently provides uniqueness, a single-column primary key is

sufficient. However, when uniqueness is uncertain or multiple attributes naturally
identify an entity, a composite key is the preferred choice.

Absolutely, here are the answers to your database normalization questions:

(a) Short Answer: Functional Dependency

In a functional dependency A -> B, B depends on A. This means that the value of A
determines the value of B. For every unique value of A, there must be a
corresponding value of B, but a single value of B could be associated with multiple
values of A.

(b) Short Answer: Partial Dependency

A partial dependency occurs when a non-key attribute (attribute not part of the
primary key) depends on only a part of the primary key, not the entire key. This can
lead to data redundancy and inconsistency issues.

(c) Long Answer: Importance of Second Normal Form (2NF)

Why 2NF is Important

Second Normal Form (2NF) is a crucial step in database normalization because it

helps eliminate data redundancy and ensures data integrity. It builds upon the
foundation of First Normal Form (1NF) by addressing partial dependencies.

Differences Between 1NF and 2NF:

 1NF: Eliminates repeating groups within a table, ensuring each record is
unique and identifiable by a primary key.
 2NF: Ensures that all non-key attributes depend on the entire primary key, not
just a part of it. This minimizes data redundancy and improves data integrity.
Benefits of 2NF:
 Reduced Redundancy: By eliminating partial dependencies, 2NF reduces
the need to store duplicate data, leading to more efficient storage usage.
 Improved Data Integrity: When updates are made to the primary key, data
consistency is maintained because all dependent attributes rely on the entire
key.
 Flexibility: 2NF allows for independent modifications to different parts of the
data structure without affecting other parts, enhancing maintainability.
(d) Very Long Answer: Decomposition in Database Normalization
Decomposition
Decomposition, in the context of database design, is the process of breaking down a
large table into smaller, more focused tables based on functional dependencies. This
improves data organization and reduces redundancy, leading to a well-normalized
database.

Contribution to Normalization

Normalization involves progressively eliminating anomalies (insertion, deletion,

update anomalies) that can occur due to data redundancy. Decomposition is a key
technique used throughout the normalization process, particularly in achieving higher
normal forms like 2NF and 3NF.

Example:

Consider a table named "Sales" with columns: "Order ID", "Customer Name",
"Product ID", "Product Name", "Quantity", and "Price". This table might have partial
dependencies: "Customer Name" depends on "Order ID", and "Product Name" and
"Price" depend on "Product ID".

By decomposing this table:

1. Create a "Customers" table with columns: "Customer ID" (primary key),

"Customer Name".
2. Create a "Products" table with columns: "Product ID" (primary key), "Product
Name", "Price".
3. Maintain a "Sales" table with columns: "Order ID" (primary key), "Customer
ID" (foreign key referencing "Customers.Customer ID"), "Product ID" (foreign
key referencing "Products.Product ID"), "Quantity".

This decomposition eliminates partial dependencies and creates a more normalized

database structure with reduced redundancy and improved data integrity.

Alternative: Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)

BCNF is a stricter form of normalization compared to 2NF. It eliminates all

determiners (attributes that can be determined by other candidate keys) except for
the primary key itself. This further reduces redundancy and ensures a high degree of
data integrity. However, achieving BCNF might require further decomposition, which
can result in more complex database structures.

Your Requested Answers:

(a) Deadlock

This term describes a situation where two or more transactions are waiting
indefinitely for each other to release locks on resources (data items) they need to
complete their operations. This creates a standstill as no transaction can proceed,
leading to a system halt.

**(b) ** (Placeholder for potential future question)

(c) Atomicity in ACID Properties

Atomicity is one of the fundamental properties of ACID transactions in database
systems. It ensures that a transaction is treated as an indivisible unit. Either all
operations within the transaction succeed (commit), or all operations fail (rollback).
This guarantees data consistency and reliability.
How Atomicity Ensures Reliability:
 Prevents Partial Updates: Atomicity ensures that only complete transactions are
applied to the database. This eliminates the risk of inconsistent data states where
some parts of a transaction are applied but others fail.
 Rollback Capabilities: If any operation within a transaction fails, the entire
transaction is rolled back, restoring the database to its previous consistent state. This
prevents corrupt data from being committed.
Example Scenario:

Imagine transferring funds between two bank accounts (Account A and Account B) in
a single transaction. Atomicity guarantees that either:

 Both debits (from A) and credits (to B) are completed successfully, updating both
accounts.
 If any step fails (e.g., insufficient funds), the entire transaction is rolled back, leaving
neither account modified.
(d) Two-Phase Commit (2PC) in Distributed Transactions
2PC is a coordination protocol used in distributed database systems to ensure the
consistency of transactions that involve updates across multiple database nodes
(servers). It guarantees that all nodes participating in the transaction either commit
the changes or roll them back in a synchronized manner.

2PC Phases:
1. Prepare Phase: The coordinator node (a designated server) sends a "prepare"
message to all participating nodes. Each node performs the required operations
locally and logs the updates, but doesn't permanently commit them to the database.
2. Commit or Rollback: Based on the responses from all nodes (success or failure),
the coordinator decides:
o Commit: If all nodes confirm readiness, the coordinator sends a "commit"
message to all nodes, instructing them to permanently apply the updates.
o Rollback: If any node encounters an error or reports failure, the coordinator
sends a "rollback" message, instructing all nodes to undo the local changes
performed during the prepare phase.
Example Scenario:

Consider a distributed online store where a purchase involves updating inventory on

one server and customer information on another. 2PC ensures that both updates are
committed simultaneously across both servers or rolled back if an issue arises on
either side. This maintains data consistency across the distributed system.

Alternative: Physical vs. Logical Logging

Physical Logging:
 Records the actual physical changes made to the database at a low level (e.g., disk
block updates).
 More detailed, but can be complex to interpret and recover from specific errors.
 Often used for crash recovery (replaying the log to bring the database to a consistent
state after a crash).
Logical Logging:
 Records the logical operations performed on the data (e.g., INSERT, UPDATE,
DELETE) in a higher-level format.
 Easier to understand and interpret, facilitating specific error recovery scenarios.
  Often used for rollback (undoing specific operations) and auditing purposes.
Impact on Efficiency:
 Physical logging is generally more voluminous due to low-level details, impacting
efficiency.
 Logical logging is more concise, improving efficiency in terms of storage space and
processing.
Example Scenario:
 Physical Logging for Crash Recovery: After a power outage, the database replays
the physical log to recover the actual changes made to the database until the point of
failure.
 Logical Logging for Rollback: Due to a pricing error on a newly added product, the
logical log allows for easily identifying and undoing the "INSERT" operation to
rollback the change.
Here are the answers to your database indexing questions, following the requested
format:

(a) Advantages of Multi-Level Indexing

The primary advantage of using multi-level indexing in databases is improved query

performance, particularly for large datasets. It works by creating a hierarchical
structure of indexes, where each level summarizes the information from the previous
level.

 Reduced Disk Access: Queries can locate data more efficiently by

navigating through the index levels instead of scanning the entire table. Each
level acts as a directory, pointing to specific data locations.
 Faster Search: By filtering down to relevant data segments with each level,
multi-level indexes significantly speed up searches, especially for complex
queries involving multiple conditions.
(b) B-Tree Indexing

B-Trees are a widely used data structure for creating multi-level indexes. They offer
efficient searching and insertion/deletion operations:
  Ordered Structure: B-Trees organize data in a sorted fashion, allowing for
efficient comparisons during query processing.
 Self-Balancing: B-Trees automatically balance their structure to maintain
optimal search performance as data volume changes (inserts/deletes).
 Multi-Level Search: Queries can traverse the B-Tree levels, starting from the
root node (highest level with a broader overview) to locate specific data blocks
containing the desired records.
(c) Hash Functions and Data Integrity

Hash functions don't directly contribute to data integrity in databases. However, they
can be used in conjunction with other techniques to enhance data verification.

 Hashing for Verification: Hash functions are one-way mathematical

functions that map data to a fixed-size value (hash). This hash can be stored
along with the original data. When the data is modified, the hash value will
also change. By recalculating the hash and comparing it to the stored value,
you can detect data inconsistencies or tampering.
Important Note: Hash functions alone don't guarantee data integrity because
collisions (different data producing the same hash) can occur. They are typically
used along with other mechanisms like digital signatures or cryptographic
checksums for complete data integrity.
(d) Clustered and Covering Indexes for Range Queries
Clustered Indexes:
 Reorder the physical storage of table data based on the indexed column(s).
 Optimize performance for range queries that involve the indexed column(s) as
the starting or ending points.
 Since data is physically clustered based on the index, the database can
efficiently access contiguous data blocks during a range query, reducing disk
I/O operations.
Covering Indexes:
 Include additional columns in the index besides the column(s) used for
searching.
  Allow the database engine to potentially satisfy the entire query (including
filtering or joining) using only the index itself, without needing to access the
actual table data.
 This optimizes performance for queries that involve filtering or joining based
on the columns included in the covering index.
Example Scenario:

Imagine an e-commerce database with a "Products" table containing columns like

"product_id", "product_name", "price", and "category".

 A clustered index on "price" would improve performance for queries like "find
products priced between $100 and $200". The physical clustering based on
price allows the database to scan through contiguous data blocks efficiently.
 A covering index on "category" and "price" would allow filtering products by
category (e.g., "electronics") and price range (e.g., "$100-$200") to be
potentially answered using the index itself, without needing to access the
entire table data.
Alternative: Significance of Primary Indexes
Primary Index Importance:

A primary index is a crucial structure in a database table. It guarantees several

benefits:

 Uniqueness Enforcement: The primary key, which defines the primary

index, ensures that each row in the table is uniquely identifiable. This prevents
duplicate records, a critical aspect of data integrity.
 Fast Data Retrieval: The primary index is typically a clustered index,
meaning the physical data order aligns with the index order. This significantly
speeds up retrieving specific records by their primary key value.
 Foreign Key Enforcement: Other tables can reference the primary key using
foreign keys, establishing relationships between tables. The primary index
facilitates efficient joins and data integrity checks during foreign key
operations.
Example Scenario:
Consider a "Customers" table with a primary key "customer_id". A well-designed
primary index allows for:

 Efficiently finding a specific customer's details by their unique "customer_id".

 Establishing foreign key relationships with other tables like "Orders", where
each order references a specific customer using the "customer_id" as a
foreign key. This ensures data integrity by preventing orders referencing non-
existent customers.