Test Bank for Modern Database Management 14th Edition by Hoffer, Topi, Venkataraman, Bala
ISBN: 9780135346853
Modern Database Management, 14e (Hoffer)
Chapter 1 The Database Environment and Development Process
1) According to a McKinsey Global Institute Report, in 2010 alone, global enterprises stored ________.
A) more than 1 terabyte of data
B) more than 3 gigabytes of data
C) at least 100 petabytes of data
D) more than 7 billion exabytes of data
Answer: D
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 4
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
2) A database is an organized collection of ________ related data.
A) logically
B) physically
C) loosely
D) badly
Answer: A
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 6
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
3) Legacy systems often contain data of ________ quality.
A) moderate
B) excellent
C) poor
D) untested
Answer: C
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 5
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
4) Program-data dependence is caused by ________.
A) file descriptions being stored in each database application program
B) data descriptions being stored on a server
C) data descriptions being written into programming code
D) data cohabiting with programs
Answer: A
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 16
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
5) Because applications are often developed independently in file processing systems ________.
A) the data is always non-redundant
B) unplanned duplicate data files are the rule rather than the exception
C) data can always be shared with others
D) there is a large volume of file I/O
Answer: B
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 10
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
6) Relational databases establish the relationships between entities by means of common fields included in a file called a(n) ________.
A) entity
B) relationship
C) relation
D) association
Answer: C
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 12
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
7) A(n) ________ is often developed by identifying a form or report that a user needs on a regular basis.
A) enterprise view
B) reporting document
C) user view
D) user snapshot
Answer: C
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
8) Data that describe the properties of other data are ________.
A) relationships
B) logical
C) physical
D) metadata
Answer: D
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 8
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
9) Metadata typically describes all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) data definitions
B) length
C) allowable values
D) location on disk
Answer: D
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 8
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
10) A person, place, object, event, or concept about which the organization wishes to maintain data is called a(n) ________.
A) relationship
B) object
C) attribute
D) entity
Answer: D
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 11
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
11) ________ are established between entities in a well-structured database so that the desired information can be retrieved.
A) Entities
B) Relationships
C) Lines
D) Ties Answer: B
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 11
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
12) All of the following are primary purposes of a database management system (DBMS)
EXCEPT ________.
A) creating data
B) updating data
C) storing data
D) providing an integrated development environment
Answer: D
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Difficult Page Ref: 13
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
13) With the database approach, data descriptions are stored in a central location known as a ________.
A) server
B) mainframe
C) PC
D) repository Answer: D
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 13
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
14) A user view is ________.
A) a report that the user can generate from the data
B) a table or set of tables
C) a logical description of some portion of the database
D) a procedure stored on the server
Answer: C
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
15) ________ is a tool even non-programmers can use to access information from a database.
A) ODBC
B) SQL (Structured query language)
C) ASP
D) Data manipulation query language
Answer: B
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 16
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
16) Which of the following is NOT an advantage of database systems?
A) Redundant data
B) Program-data independence
C) Improved data quality
D) Reduced program maintenance
Answer: A
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
17) The most common source of database failures in organizations is ________.
A) lack of planning
B) inadequate budget
C) inadequate hardware
D) failure to implement a strong database administration function
Answer: D
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Difficult Page Ref: 15
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
18) A rule that CANNOT be violated by database users is called a ________.
A) password
B) constraint
C) program
D) view
Answer: B
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 15
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
19) In a file processing environment, descriptions for data and the logic for accessing the data are built into ________.
A) application programs
B) database descriptors
C) fields
D) records
Answer: A
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 16
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
20) E. F. Codd developed the relational model in the ________.
A) 1960s
B) 1970s
C) 1980s
D) 1990s
Answer: B
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 28
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
21) Which of the following is NOT an objective that drove the development and evolution of database technology?
A) The need to provide greater independence between programs and data.
B) The desire to manage increasing complex data types and structures.
C) The desire to require programmers to write all file handling functionality.
D) The need to provide ever more powerful platforms for decision support applications.
Answer: C
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Difficult Page Ref: 28
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
22) Organizations that utilize the file processing approach spend as much as ________ of their IS development budget on maintenance.
A) 40 percent
B) 25 percent
C) 60 percent
D) 80 percent
Answer: D
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 11
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
23) Which of the following is NOT a cost and/or risk of the database approach?
A) Specialized personnel
B) Conversion costs
C) Improved responsiveness
D) Organizational conflict
Answer: C
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 16
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
24) A knowledge base of information or facts about an enterprise is called a(n) ________.
A) enterprise information system
B) repository
C) systems information unit
D) database process
Answer: B
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 19
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
25) Which of the following is a software system used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to databases?
A) Network operating system
B) User view
C) Database management system (DBMS)
D) Attribute
Answer: C
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 19
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
26) Languages, menus, and other facilities by which users interact with various system components are collectively called a(n) ________.
A) client
B) user interface
C) icon
D) development environment
Answer: B
LO: Identify four categories of applications that use databases and their key characteristics.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 20
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
27) Database development begins with ________, which establishes the range and general contents of organizational databases.
A) database design
B) cross-functional analysis
C) departmental data modeling
D) enterprise data modeling
Answer: D
LO: Identify four categories of applications that use databases and their key characteristics.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 20
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
28) The traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems is called the ________.
A) Enterprise Resource Model
B) Systems Development Life Cycle
C) Unified Model
D) Systems Deployment Life Cycle
Answer: B
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 21
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
29) The SDLC phase in which every data attribute is defined, every category of data is listed, and every business relationship between data entities is defined is called the ________ phase.
A) planning
B) design
C) analysis
D) implementation
Answer: C
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 22
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
30) The SDLC phase in which database processing programs are created is the ________ phase.
A) planning
B) design
C) analysis
D) implementation
Answer: D
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
31) Specifying how data from a logical schema are stored in secondary memory is part of the ________.
A) design
B) maintenance
C) analysis
D) implementation
Answer: A
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 23
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
32) An iterative methodology that rapidly repeats the analysis, design, and implementation phases of the SDLC is called ________.
A) CASE
B) CAD
C) RAD
D) MST
Answer: C
LO: Explain the prototyping and agile-development approaches to database and application development.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
33) ________ specify computer systems requirements.
A) Programmers
B) Users
C) Systems analysts
D) Database analysts
Answer: C
LO: Explain the roles of individuals who design, implement, use, and administer databases.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
34) The three-schema approach includes which of the following schemas?
A) Internal
B) Logical
C) Cross-functional
D) Dissecting
Answer: A
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
35) Determining the structure of data and the relationships between data elements either right before or at the time of use of the data is called ________.
A) tables on write
B) schema on write C) on demand paging
D) caching
Answer: B
LO: Distinguish between operational (transactional) and analytical (data warehousing and big data) data management approaches and related technologies.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 18
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
36) Information is processed data.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 4
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
37) Metadata are data that describe the properties of other data.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 8
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
38) File processing systems have been replaced by database systems in most critical business applications today.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 9
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
39) Unplanned duplicate data files are the rule rather than the exception in file processing systems.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 10
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
40) Many of the disadvantages of file processing systems can also be limitations of databases. Answer: TRUE
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 9
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
41) With the traditional file processing approach, each application shares data files, thus enabling much data sharing.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
42) Development starts from scratch with the traditional file processing approach because new file formats, descriptions, and file access logic must be designed for each new program.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 15
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
43) A data model is a graphical system used to capture the nature and relationships among data. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 19
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
44) A person is an example of an entity.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 13
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
45) The data that you are interested in capturing about an entity is called an instance.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 15
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
46) A relational database establishes the relationships between entities by means of a common field.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Difficult Page Ref: 12
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
47) Separation of metadata from application programs that use the data is called data independence.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 13
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
48) Data redundancy is used to establish relationships between data but is never used to improve database performance.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Difficult Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
49) Redundancy increases the risk of inconsistent data.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
50) One reason for improved application development productivity with the database approach is that file design and low-level implementation details do not need to be handled by the application programmer. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
51) The data repository assists database administrators in enforcing standards. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
52) The failure to implement a strong database administrative function is the most common source of database failures in organizations. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
53) Reduced program maintenance is an advantage of file processing systems. Answer: FALSE
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 28
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
54) Cost and complexity are just two of the disadvantages of database processing.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
55) The term legacy system refers to a newly installed database management system. Answer: FALSE
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 5
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
56) A modern database management system automates more of the backup and recovery tasks than a file system.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 17
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
57) Data management technologies are often used as information systems, as a foundation for analytics or the systematic analysis of data to understand a real-world problem better.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Distinguish between operational (transactional) and analytical (data warehousing and big data) data management approaches and related technologies.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 18
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
58) Repositories are always used in file processing systems. Answer: FALSE
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 28
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
59) The user interface includes languages, menus, and other facilities by which users interact with various system components.
Answer: TRUE
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 30
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
60) Personal databases are designed to support a small group of individuals working together on a project.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Identify four categories of applications that use databases and their key characteristics.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
61) Database development projects are never done in a bottom-up fashion.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Identify four categories of applications that use databases and their key characteristics.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 20
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
62) The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is the traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 21
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
63) The steps of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) can only be viewed as a linear process.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 21
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
64) The physical structure and storage organization of the database is decided upon during the implementation phase of the systems development life cycle.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 21
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
65) Data from prior systems is converted to the new system during the implementation phase of the systems development life cycle.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
66) Database maintenance is typically the longest step of the database development process. Answer: TRUE
LO: Describe the life cycle of a systems development project, with an emphasis on the purpose of database analysis, design, and implementation activities.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
67) Prototyping is a type of rapid application development. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the prototyping and agile-development approaches to database and application development.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 24
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
68) Systems analysts work directly with both management and users to analyze the business situation and develop detailed project specifications. Answer: FALSE
LO: Explain the roles of individuals who design, implement, use, and administer databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
69) Database architects establish standards for data in business units. Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the roles of individuals who design, implement, use, and administer databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 27
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
70) The conceptual schema is always technology specific. Answer: FALSE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
71) A physical schema contains the specifications for how data from a conceptual schema are stored in a computer's secondary memory.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 26
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
72) E. F. Codd developed the relational data model during the 1970s. Answer: TRUE
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 28
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
73) The relational data model is no longer popular in the 21st century.
Answer: FALSE
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 30
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
74) Although personal databases improve productivity, one risk is that data cannot be shared with other users.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
75) The most common way to support a group of individuals who work together on a project or group of similar projects is with a multi-tier client/server database.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
76) Multi-tier client/server database applications contain a business logic layer.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
77) An enterprise resource planning system integrates all functions of the enterprise.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 33
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
78) A data warehouse contains summarized and historical information.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 33
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
79) An extranet uses Internet protocols to establish limited access to company data by the company's customers and suppliers.
Answer: TRUE
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 14
Classification: Concept
AACSB: Information Technology
80) Discuss the differences between data and information.
Answer: Data consists of raw facts, such as figures, strings, images, etc. Most of the time, data itself is not very meaningful until we add some additional information, such as descriptive fields as well as some structure. For example, if one were looking at set of student grades with just course numbers and a semester key, this might not be very useful. If we were to add in some additional information, such as course title, semester and year, then we would have information.
LO: Concisely define chapter key terms.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 7
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
81) Discuss some of the disadvantages of file processing systems.
Answer: File processing systems have several disadvantages, including:
1. Program-data dependence The program is tied to the underlying data. Whenever the data changes, (in the sense of structurally), then the program must be modified.
2. Duplication of data Applications are often developed separately, resulting in duplicate data.
3. Limited data sharing This is closely related to disadvantage 2, since often applications are developed in a silo. So, for example, the accounting department might develop an application which uses some of the same data as another department. However, there is no data sharing, so two sets of data are maintained.
4. Excessive program maintenance and lengthy development times Since the programmer has to write all of the low-level file I/O for the application, this adds to the complexity of the application. Also, since the program might need maintenance whenever there is a change to the attributes of the data, there is a need for a lot of program maintenance.
LO: Name several limitations of conventional file processing systems.
Difficulty: Easy Page Ref: 10
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
82) Discuss some of the advantages to the database approach.
Answer: The database approach has several advantages including:
1. Program-data independence Since the metadata is stored in a repository, the underlying data can change and evolve without the need for maintenance to the applications.
2. Improved data consistency Since there is less redundant data, the data is much more consistent.
3. Improved data sharing A database can be created once, and then several different applications for organization units can access the underlying tables.
4. Increased application development productivity Increased productivity since database management systems contain tools for development which aid in productivity. In addition, the developer does not have to worry about writing low-level file I/O.
5. Improved data quality Data quality improves because of integrity constraints and range controls that can be built into the database.
LO: Explain at least 10 advantages of the database approach compared to traditional file processing.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 13
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
83) Discuss some of the costs associated with the database approach.
Answer: The database approach does not come without additional costs. These are specifically tied to the following:
1. New specialized personnel
2. Cost of installation and management
3. Conversion costs
4. Need for explicit backup and recovery
LO: Identify several costs and risks of the database approach.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 16
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
84) Provide a brief overview of the various components of the database environment.
Answer: Components of the database environment include: CASE tools, a repository, the database management system, the database itself, application programs and the user interface. In addition, there are people such as the end users, system developers, data and database administrators. All of this is an integrated environment which improves the productivity of the organization.
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 20
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
85) Discuss why alternative IS development approaches have evolved and provide an overview of a couple of these methodologies.
Answer: The SDLC is often criticized for being too long from the time of system start until a finished product is delivered. As such, organizations have begun to adopt rapid application development techniques. One technique is prototyping, where a system is designed as a prototype, given to the user for testing and then corrected as needed. This is an iterative process. Another methodology is Agile software development, which focuses more on people than processes.
LO: List and briefly describe nine components of a typical database environment.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 21
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
86) Discuss who is involved in the database development process.
Answer: There are many different types of individuals involved in the database development process. First there are the users, next the business analysts who work with the users to develop business specifications. Systems analysts turn the specifications into technical specifications. Database analysts and modelers develop the actual database design. Programmers write the application. Project managers manage the entire project from start to finish.
LO: Explain the roles of individuals who design, implement, use, and administer databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 20
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
87) Discuss Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, and contrast these to data warehouses.
Answer: An ERP system integrates all functions of the enterprise. ERP systems provide the data necessary for an organization to manage all of its data. While ERP systems rely on operational data, data warehouses are designed to use summarized, historical data and are used more in the role of decision support.
LO: Explain the differences among external, conceptual, and internal schemas and the reasons for using a three-schema architecture for databases.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 33
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
88) Discuss big data and data warehousing. How is it different from operational systems?
Answer: Data warehousing systems use static data and are used for reporting and some analytics. A data warehouse is implemented using the same technology as relational database management systems. Big data, on the other hand, can use a variety of data, both structured and unstructured. Often, big data uses a schema on read mode, where the database is built just before or while it is being used.
LO: Distinguish between operational (transactional) and informational (data warehousing and big data) data management approaches and related technologies.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 18
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
89) Explain the differences between personal, multi-tiered, and enterprise-level data management solutions.
Answer: Personal databases are designed to support one user. Personal databases are widely used because they can often improve personal productivity. Most modern applications that need to support a large number of users are built using the concept of multi-tiered architecture. An enterprise application/database is one whose scope is the entire organization or enterprise (or, at least, many different departments). Such databases are intended to support organization-wide operations and decision making in organizations for which departmental solutions are not sufficient.
LO: Explain the differences between personal, multi-tiered, and enterprise-level data management solutions.
Difficulty: Moderate Page Ref: 31
Classification: Synthesis
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Chapter 1 The Database Environment and Development Process
Chapter Overview
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the world of data management as a whole, and specifically to the database approach to information systems development, the important concepts and principles of the database approach, and the database development process within the broader context of information systems development. This is an important chapter because it conveys a sense of the central importance of databases and data management in today’s information systems environment and in all modern enterprises. The idea of an organizational database is intuitively appealing to most students. However, many students will have little or no background or experience with the technical implementation of databases. Others will have had some experience with database management systems intended for personal or workgroup use (such as Microsoft Access). Consequently, they will have a limited perspective concerning an organizational approach to databases.
In this chapter, we introduce the basic concepts and definitions of databases and data management, starting with an organizing framework that is new to this chapter. We contrast data with information and introduce the notion of metadata and its importance. We also contrast the database approach with older file processing systems and introduce the Pine Valley Furniture Company case to illustrate these concepts. We describe the range of database applications, from databases with a personal or workgroup scope to enterprise databases and identify key decisions that must be made for each type of database. We discuss both the potential benefits and typical costs of using the database approach. We also trace the historical evolution of database systems, in order to provide a context for understanding the database approach for data storage and retrieval. The chapter outlines the differences between transactional and analytical approaches and highlights the way new, analytics-focused technologies are transforming data management.
The chapter also presents an expanded description of the systems development life cycle (including an introduction to rapid application development methods of prototyping and agile software development) and the role of database development within it. The chapter provides an updated description of the well-known three-schema architecture and uses it to summarize the various deliverables of database development. It concludes with an example of database development situated in the context the Pine Valley Furniture Company case followed by a new section on the interconnection between artificial intelligence and data and database management.
Chapter Objectives
Specific student learning objectives are included at the beginning of each chapter. From an instructor’s point of view, the objectives of this chapter are to:
1. Create a sense of excitement concerning the data and database management field and the types of job opportunities that are available.
2. Acquaint students with the broad spectrum of database applications and how organizations are using database applications for competitive advantage.
3. Introduce the data management framework that organizes the book and the conceptual space of data management, highlighting how relational technologies and nonrelational technologies can be seen as part of the same space.
4. Introduce the key terms and definitions that describe the database environment.
5. Describe data models and how they are used to capture the nature and relationships among data.
6. Describe the major components of the database environment and how these components interact with each other.
7. Provide a review of systems development methodologies, particularly the systems development life cycle, prototyping, and agile software development; build an understanding of how database development is aligned with these methodologies.
8. Develop an understanding of the different roles within a database development team.
9. Make students aware of the three-schema architecture and its benefits for database development and design.
10.Introduce the Pine Valley Furniture Company case, which is used throughout the text to illustrate important concepts.
11.Introduce the Mountain View Community Hospital case, which is included at the end of each chapter as a source for student projects.
Key Terms
Agile software development
Conceptual schema
Constraint
Database
Physical schema
Database application Project
Database management system (DBMS)
Prototyping
Data Enterprise data modeling Relational database
Data independence
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Data lake Entity
Data model Information
Data modeling and design tools
Repository
Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
User view
Logical schema
Data warehouse Metadata
Classroom Ideas
1. Start with a discussion of how students interact with systems built on databases on a daily basis (credit card transactions, shopping cards, telephone calls, cell phone contact lists, downloadable music, etc.). If you teach in a classroom with computers, ask students to find examples of Web sites that appear to be accessing databases.
2. Contrast the terms “data” and “information.” Using Figure 1-1 as a starting point, have the students provide some good examples of data and information from their own experiences. This may well lead to some differences of opinion, and the conclusion that one person’s data may be another person’s information.
3. Introduce the concept of metadata using Table 1-1. Ask the students to suggest other metadata that might be appropriate for this example.
4. Discuss file processing systems and their limitations, using Figure 1-2 and Table 12. Emphasize that many of these systems are still in use today.
5. Introduce data models using Figure 1-3. Discuss the differences between an enterprise data model and a project data model, using Figures 1-3 (a) and (b).
6. Discuss each of the advantages of the database approach (Table 1-3). Stress that these advantages can only be achieved through strong organizational planning and commitment. Also discuss the costs and risks of the database approach (Table 1-4).
7. Introduce the integrated data management framework presented in Figure 1-5 with a particular focus on the Operational – Analytical distinction and the emergence of new technologies (such as NoSQL, DBMSs, and Hadoop) in the Analytical category.
8. Introduce the students to the major components of the database environment (Figure 1-6). Stress the interfaces between these components and the fact that a proper selection of the components can “make or break” a database implementation.
9. Introduce the concept of a data warehouse as a type of enterprise database. This topic is described in detail in Chapter 10.
10.Review the evolution of database technologies and the significance of each era (Figure 1-11). Add your own perspective to the directions that this field is likely to take in the future.
11.Your students may have examples from their workplaces to contribute about client/server architectures. You may also provide them with an understanding of where the DBMS software and their data will be stored at your school as an illustration.
12.A quick in-class demo of Microsoft Access or similar product is useful to give the students an initial exposure to a DBMS and demonstrate a prototyping approach to database development. Consider using the PVFC prototyping request as an example.
13.If time permits, have the students answer several problems and exercises in class.
14.Use the project case to reinforce concepts discussed in class. Students can be assigned to work on this case in class if time permits, or it can be used as a homework assignment.
15.If time permits, use the book’s sample database resources available through pearsonhighered.com/hoffer to demonstrate the structure and contents of a relational database for some of the textbook data sets. Demonstrate, or lead students through, some simple SQL retrieval exercises against the textbook databases.
Answers to Review Questions
1-1. Define each of the following key terms:
a. Data. Stored representations of objects and events that have meaning and importance in the user’s environment.
b. Information. Data that have been processed in such a way as to increase the knowledge of the person who uses it.
c. Metadata. Data that describes the properties or characteristics of end-user data and the context of that data.
d. Enterprise resource planning (ERP). A class of systems that integrate all functions of the enterprise, such as manufacturing, sales, finance, marketing, inventory, accounting, and human resources.
e. Data warehouse. An integrated decision support database whose content is derived from the various operational databases.
f. Constraint. A rule that cannot be violated by database users.
g. Database. An organized collection of logically related data.
h. Entity A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data.
i. Database management system. A software system that is used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to user databases.
j. Data lake. A large integrated repository for internal and external data that does not follow a predefined schema.
k. Systems development life cycle (SDLC). A traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems.
l. Prototyping An iterative process of systems development in which requirements are converted to a working system that is continually revised through close work between analysts and users
m. Enterprise data model. The first step in database development, in which the scope and general contents of organizational databases are specified.
n. Conceptual data model. A detailed, technology-independent specification of the overall structure of organizational data.
o. Logical data model The representation of data for a particular data management technology (such as the relational model). In the case of a relational data model, elements include tables, columns, rows, primary and foreign keys, as well as constraints.
p. Physical data model A set of specifications that detail how data from a logical data model (or schema) are stored in a computer’s secondary memory for a specific database management system. There is one physical data model (or schema) for each logical data model.
1-2. Match the following terms and definitions:
c agile software development
b database application
l constraint
g repository
f metadata
m data warehouse
a information
j user view
k database management system
h data independence
e entity
i enterprise resource planning (ERP)
r systems development life cycle (SDLC)
o prototyping
d enterprise data model
q conceptual schema
p internal schema
n external schema
1-3. Contrast the following terms:
a. Data dependence; data independence. With data dependence, data descriptions are included with the application programs that use the data, while with data independence the data descriptions are separated from the application programs.
b. Structured data; unstructured data. Structured data refers to facts related to objects and events of importance in the user’s environment and represents the traditional data that is easily stored and retrieved in traditional databases and data warehouses. Unstructured data refers to multimedia data, such as images, sound, and video segments or to unstructured textual data. All these types of data are now stored as part of the user’s business environment.
c. Metadata; data Metadata is data about data, describing the characteristics of data maintained in a data management environment whereas data itself represents characteristics of objects and events in a real-world environment that is meaningful for the users of the data management environment.
d. Repository; database. A repository provides centralized storage for all data definitions, data relationships, and other system components, while a database is an organized collection of logically related data.
e. Entity; enterprise data model. An entity is an object or concept that is important to the business, while an enterprise data model is a graphical model that shows the high-level entities for the organization and the relationship among those entities.
f. Data warehouse; data lake. Both operate at the enterprise level and are used to store data for analytical purposes, but they are organized in a very different way: a data warehouse has a predefined organizing structure and data is carefully curated before it is loaded into a data warehouse, whereas a data lake is fundamentally an unstructured storage space into which data is collected with the intent that it be structured at the time when it is analyzed.
g. Personal databases; multi-tiered databases. A personal database is intended for a single user to manage small amounts of data in an efficient manner, and it resides on a personal computing device (such as a laptop or a smart phone). Multi-tiered databases share multiple (sometimes very large numbers of) users. They house the user interface on client devices and the business logic may be maintained on multiple server layers to accomplish the business transactions requested by client devices.
h. Systems development life cycle; prototyping. Both are systems development processes. The SDLC is a methodical, highly structured approach that includes many checks and balances. Consequently, the SDLC is often criticized for the length of time needed until a working system is produced, which occurs only at the end of the process. Increasingly, organizations use more rapid application development (RAD) processes, which follow an iterative process of rapidly repeating analysis, design, and implementation steps until you converge on the system the user wants. Prototyping is a widely used method within RAD. In prototyping, a database and its applications are iteratively refined through a close interaction of systems developers and users.
i. Enterprise data model; conceptual data model. In an enterprise data model, the range and contents of the organizational databases are set. Generally, the enterprise data model represents all of the entities and relationships. The conceptual data model extends the enterprise data model further by combining all of the various user views and then representing the organizational databases using ER diagrams.
j. Prototyping; Agile software development. Prototyping is a rapid application development (RAD) method where a database and its application(s) are iteratively refined through analysis, design, and implementation cycles with systems developers and end users. Agile software development is a method that shares an emphasis on iterative development with the prototyping method yet further emphasizes the people and rapidity of response in its process.
1-4. Five disadvantages of file processing systems:
a. Program-data dependence
b. Duplication of data
c. Limited data sharing
d. Lengthy development times
e. Excessive program maintenance
1-5. Differences between transactional and analytical data management approaches. The main purpose of transactional data management is to enable organizational systems to capture and maintain data regarding events or objects that are important for the operations of the organization (e.g., customers, orders, invoices, payments, etc.). These data are organized in a way that focuses on operational efficiency, correctness, and security. In an analytical approach to data management, the focus shifts to organizing data and making it available in a way that supports the use of data for analytical purposes, that is, interpreting the meaning of the data for the purposes of understanding how an organization has operated, how it is likely to operate in the future, and how it should be changed in light of what we know about it.
1-6. Differences between data warehousing and big data approaches to analytical data management
In the data warehousing approach to analytical data management, data are stored in specialized storage systems (data warehouses and data marts), after a careful curation and transformation process, such that the data are structured optimally for reporting and analysis purposes based on what the designers of the data warehouse initially anticipated these purposes to be. This approach is often called schema on write. In the big data approach to analytical data management, the data are often stored in structures that are not predesigned for specific analytical models; instead, the data include descriptions of their structure at a level of individual concept and the large structures are allowed and expected to emerge during the analytical processes. This approach is often called schema on read.
1-7. Nine major components in a typical database system environment:
a. CASE tools: automated tools used to design databases and database applications.
b. Repository: centralized storehouse of data definitions.
c. Database management system (DBMS): commercial software used to define, create, maintain, and provide controlled access to the database and the repository.
d. Database: organized collection of logically related data.
e. Application programs: computer programs that are used to create and maintain the database.
f. User interface: languages, menus, and other facilities by which users interact with the various system components.
g. Data administrators: persons who are responsible for the overall information resources of an organization.
h. System developers: persons such as systems analysts and programmers who design new application programs.
i. End users: persons who add, delete, and modify data in the database and who request information from it.
1-8. Relationships between tables:
Relationships between tables are expressed by identical data values stored in the associated columns of related tables in a relational database.
1-9. Definition of data independence:
Data independence refers to the separation of data descriptions from the application programs that use the data. It is an important goal because it allows an organization’s data to change and evolve without changing the application programs that use the data. Additionally, data independence allows changes to application programs without requiring changes in data storage structure.
1-10. 10 Potential benefits:
Potential benefits of the database approach are given below:
a. Program-data independence
b. Minimal data redundancy
c. Improved data consistency
d. Improved data sharing
e. Increased development productivity
f. Enforcement of standards
g. Improved data quality
h. Improved data accessibility and responsiveness
i. Reduced program maintenance
j. Improved decision support
1-11. Five costs or risks of the database approach are given below:
a. New, specialized personnel
b. Installation, management cost, and complexity
c. Conversion costs
d. Need for explicit backup and recovery
e. Organizational conflict
1-12. Nine key components of a typical database environment
See answer to question 1-7; the question was accidentally repeated.
1-13. Difference between Operational and Analytical data management systems
The operational data management systems enable and support organizational systems that are intended to allow the organization to operate effectively and efficiently, whereas analytical data management systems focus on activities that organize and interpret data in the systems for analytical purposes (for helping organization understand how it could and should change).
1-14. Four perspectives for exploring transactional systems and their main competencies
Modeling: conceptual data modeling with enhanced entity-relationship modeling
Design: logical data modeling using the relational model
Infrastructure: physical design of relational databases, database security, and ownership of data management technologies (including cloud computing)
Access to data: SQL and other data manipulation and design languages
1-15. Possibility of no database on a tier of a multi-tiered database?
Yes, it is possible. The client tier a PC or a mobile client typically has presentation logic but no database installed on it.
1-16. Difference between enterprise databases and departmental multi-tiered databases
Enterprise databases have an organization-wide focus, and they typically support very large-scale systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, data warehousing solutions, or data lakes. Departmental multi-tiered database systems enable organizational applications that are important for a specific group of users within organization but that do not serve the whole organization.
1-17. Potential benefits of data lakes compared to other enterprise databases
The key potential benefit of data lakes is their ability to store vast amounts of unstructured data for analytical purposes that are not preplanned, allowing exploration of issues and questions that were not anticipated at the time when the systems were designed.
1-18. Five SDLC phases:
a. Planning
Purpose: To develop a preliminary understanding of the business situation and how information systems might help solve a problem or make an opportunity possible
Deliverables: A written request to study the possible changes to an existing system; the development of a new system that addresses an information systems solution to the business problems or opportunities
b. Analysis
Purpose: To analyze the business situation thoroughly to determine requirements, to structure those requirements, and to select between competing system features
Deliverables: The functional specifications for a system that meets user requirements and is feasible to develop and implement.
c. Design
Purpose: To elicit and structure all information requirements; to develop all technology and organizational specifications.
Deliverables: Detailed functional specifications of all data, forms, reports, displays, and processing rules; program and database structures, technology purchases, physical site plans, and organizational redesigns.
d. Implementation
Purpose: To write programs, build data files, test and install the new system, train users, and finalize documentation
Deliverables: Programs that work accurately and according to specifications,
documentation, and training materials.
e. Maintenance
Purpose: To monitor the operation and usefulness of a system; to repair and enhance the system
Deliverables: Periodic audits of the system to demonstrate whether the system is accurate and still meets needs.
1-19. Activities and five phases of SDLC?
Database development activities occur in every phase of the SDLC. Actual database development is most intense in the design, implementation, and maintenance steps of the SDLC
1-20. The impact of an agile methodology on data management:
There are at least two major ways in which the use of an agile methodology affects data management: first, agile processes do not specify requirements at the detailed level in advance, and thus the operational databases have to be designed in ways that allow for rapid change without a negative impact on the quality of the data management solution. At the same time, it is much easier for agile methodologies to maintain their flexibility if they have a solid data modeling foundation within which changes are made and new capabilities enabled.
1-21. Commonalities of SDLC, prototyping, and agile development methodologies:
Procedures and processes that are common to SDLC, prototyping, and agile methodologies include the following:
• Understanding and analyzing the customer’s business requirements for the system
• Translating the customer’s requirements into specifications (logical and physical) for systems development
• Developing databases and software programs to meet specifications
• Implementing an operational system
The methodologies are considered to be different not because of what is done, but because the timing of the methodologies differ. The SDLC methodology is methodical and thorough, which makes it well-suited for systems that populate and revise databases. Prototyping, with its rapidly repeating analysis, design, and implementation phases, is well-suited for systems that retrieve data and for helping to refine a customer’s requirements for a new system. Agile software development emphasizes quick responses and rests on high-involvement from knowledgeable customers. Agile software development is well-suited to projects with unpredictable and/or rapidly changing requirements and responsible developers (per text citation of Fowler, 2005).
1-22. Differences between conceptual schema, user view, and internal schema:
A conceptual schema defines the whole database without reference to how data
are stored in a computer’s secondary memory. A user view (or external schema) is also independent of database technology, but typically contains a subset of the associated conceptual schema, relevant to a particular user or group of users (e.g., an inventory manager or accounts receivable department). An internal schema consists of both a physical schema and a logical schema. A logical schema consists of a representation of the data for a type of data management technology. For example, if the relational model is the technology used, then the logical schema will consist of tables, columns, rows, primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints. A physical schema contains the specifications for how data from a logical schema are stored in a computer’s secondary memory.
1-23. Three-schema architecture:
a. external
b. conceptual
c. internal
1-24. Phases and activities of SDLC within textbook scenario:
Student answers may vary depending upon whether or not they read the section closely enough to realize that Chris is following a prototyping methodology approach to developing the database application for PVFC. The prototyping methodology is shown in Figure 1-8, while the traditional development approach is shown in Figure 1-7.
According to Figure 1-8, Chris’ project activities would map to the following phases of the prototyping database development process:
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Helen’s activities
Project Planning
Analyzing Database Requirements
Prototype phase (and comments)
Identify Problem (Conceptual Data Modeling)
- To some extent, a separate “planning” phase does not really exist under the prototyping approach as it happens continuously as the prototype evolves. On the other hand, the Identify Problem phase involves sketching a preliminary data model, which is work that Helen clearly completes.
Identify Problem (Conceptual Data Modeling)
Develop initial prototype (Logical Database Design)
- In this stage of Helen’s work with Chris, she is still gathering iterations of the kinds of data that Chris needs to do her job. In some ways, Helen is refining the Conceptual Data Model and in other ways Helen is developing the more detailed Logical Database Design.
Designing the Database
Using the Database
Develop initial prototype (Logical Database Design, Physical database design and definition, and database implementation)
- Helen takes the knowledge she has gained from the initial sessions with Chris and begins to build a functioning example of the database in an agreedupon relational database management system.
Implement and use prototype; Revise and enhance prototype (Database maintenance)
- Helen provided enough of a working sample database that Chris could use it and make suggestions about how to revise it. Helen could iteratively make changes to improve the solution and move some initial ad-hoc queries into more formal reports.
Administering the Database
Convert to operational system (Database maintenance)
- Helen and Chris agreed that the prototype was functioning efficiently enough to allow it to become the everyday, operational, “production” system for Chris to use. As requested by Chris, and when time allows, Helen is able to make changes to the operational database to better meet Chris’s needs and requests.
1-25. Why does PVFC need a data warehouse?
Pine Valley Furniture Company (PVFC) uses a database management system to support its operational functions This database is not, however, structured in a way that supports timely analysis of trends or historical patterns. PVFC can benefit from a data warehouse that is appropriately structured for questions related to vendor pricing and/or customer order patterns over time. A data warehouse would enable PVFC to summarize data drawn from various operational databases (i.e., department, independent applications, and ERP) into meaningful structures for timely decision-making access.
1-26. Three areas where very large databases are used:
Very large databases are being used to improve customer relationship management (CRM) by creating CRM systems that react to individual customers’ purchase behavior. For example, such a database could be used to suggest other items that a customer may want to purchase based on that customer’s previous purchases. They are also being used to build a foundation for virtual products and services and to understand online users’ behavior at a detailed level. Online shopping sites are able to carry a large virtual inventory stored in a database for the customer to peruse.
Solutions to Problems and Exercises
1-27. Examples of relationships:
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a. Many-to-Many
b. One-to-Many
c. One-to-Many
d. One-to-Many
e. Many-to-Many
f. Many-to-Many
INSTRUCTOR SEMESTER
COURSE
g. Many-to-Many (and an example of a term with multiple meanings)
COURSE
1-28. Advanced data types have several special requirements:
a. Storage requirements: multimedia objects (such as images, sound, and video clips) require substantial storage capacity, which needs to be justified.
b. Content management: this is the problem of storing, locating, and retrieving the multimedia objects. This process requires specialized software not generally available in a relational DBMS or extra effort to create a means to rapidly access multimedia objects (such as keyword indexes).
c. Maintenance: while conventional relational data are easily updated, multimedia objects may require maintaining multiple versions of the data. Usually the whole object needs to be restored because it is treated as a whole rather than a set of parts.
1-29. Metadata for Class Roster:
Please note that some columns have been omitted in order to save space. Columns “Created,” “Updated,” and “Responsible Party” were added to the metadata.
Name Type Description Source Created Updated Responsible Party
Course Alphanumeric Course ID and name Academic Unit 5/10/2021 6/1/2021 Registrar
Section Integer Section number Registrar 5/10/2021 Registrar
Semester Alphanumeric Semester and year Registrar 5/10/2021 Registrar
Name Alphanumeric Student name Student IS 8/07/2021 Student IS
ID Integer Student ID (SSN) Student IS 8/07/2020 Student IS
Major Alphanumeric Student major Student IS 8/07/2020 11/15/2020 Student IS
GPA Decimal Student grade point average Academic Unit 8/07/2021 5/10/2021 Department Chair
1-30. Why do organizations create multiple databases?
There are several reasons. First, because of resource limitations, organizations fund development of their information systems one application at a time. Second, organizations frequently acquire some of their information systems from outside vendors or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers. This also results in a proliferation of databases. Third, mergers and acquisitions generally result in multiple databases.
What organizational and personal factors lead an organization to have multiple, independently managed databases?
Perhaps the most common reason is that end users and user groups develop their own database applications rather than wait for the central IS organization to develop a centralized database. Also, the pressures associated with rapid business change result in organizations taking a short-term, suboptimal approach rather than a careful, long-term strategy.
1-31. Data entities and Enterprise Data Model for student-run newspaper:
This is a good in-class, interactive exercise for individuals or small groups. For individuals, have each student choose a student club, fraternity/sorority, or other organization to illustrate a “top-down” approach to developing an enterprise data
model. For small groups, divide the class into groups and have each group work to develop an enterprise data model for a club, fraternity/sorority, or other organization. Reconvene as a large class to compare/contrast each of the small group enterprise data models. Identify the similarities and differences through class discussion.
1-32. Data from the driver’s license bureau:
a. Driver’s name, address, and birthdate: structured data
b. The fact that the driver’s name is a 30-character field: metadata; fact describing property
c. A photo image of the driver: unstructured data
d. The fact that birth data is stored in BirthDate: metadata
e. An image of the driver’s fingerprint: unstructured data
f. The make and serial number of the scanning device that was used to scan the fingerprint: structured data
g. The resolution (in megapixels) of the camera that was used to photograph the driver: metadata; fact describing context
h. The fact that the driver’s birth date must precede today’s date by at least 16 years: metadata; fact describing context
i. A 10-second video clip in which the driver states his or her name: unstructured data
1-33. Great Lakes Insurance database suggestion:
One suggested approach would be to create an enterprise database to contain all information about customers, policies, etc. The need for an enterprise database is well-justified, since policy information would need to be accessed not just by the sales team but also by the actuarial department and the claims department. For inside agents, access to the database would be through an intranet, utilizing a browser-based application as the front end. Each outside agent would access the same database using a secure Internet connection (either through a web-based or mobile application), but each of them would have limited access only to a subset of the database with only information for their territory.
1-34. Record Store data model questions:
a. one-to-many
b. one-to-many
c. If one is added, it is essential that the designer carefully define what the meaning of the new relationship is. It could, for example, mean that the store intends to carry all albums by a specific artist.
1-35. Questions about Figure 1-12 database:
Some common data elements that may be redundant are: Vendor ID, Vendor
Name, Vendor Address, Customer ID, Customer Last Name, Customer First Name, Customer Middle Initial, Purchase Order Number, Purchase Order Date. This duplication may lead to the problem that payments may not be properly matched to vendor orders, or that customer receipts are improperly matched to customer bills. These potential mismatches could cause issues in collection and payment of financial transactions for the organization, and with relationships with customers and vendors.
At a first glance, these duplications appear to violate the principles of the database approach outlined in this chapter. However, the organization may have procedural or system checks-and-balances that periodically audit or synchronize the apparent data duplication throughout the organization in this three-tier scenario. These checks-and-balances are not apparent on this figure, but if they exist, they might compensate for the apparent violation of database approach principles. It is likely that if the company developed new versions of the applications in this context, they would not include local databases at the client level.
1-36. Representation of SDLC:
The representation of the systems development life cycle has changed from the original waterfall metaphor. While it is a more compact representation, there are still some problems. For example, it is not purely linear. Also, it is possible to conduct steps in parallel due to time overlaps. One additional problem of a pure SDLC model is the inability to go back from one step to another without completing the entire five-step process; most practical SDLC implementations allow movement between stages in both directions.
1-37. Three additional entities for PVFC:
EMPLOYEE, SUPPLIER, and SHIPMENT might be good examples since all of them represent major categories of data about the entities managed by the organization.
1-38. Consider Business Enterprise example:
a. Enterprise Data Model
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b. Benefits from a multi-tiered architecture for data management?
Considerations for using a multi-tiered architecture: Since much of the data may be updated from a large number of different functions, network traffic will be an issue of crucial importance. Processing close to the source data could reduce network traffic. Client technologies, however, can be mixed (desktops, laptops, smart phones, tablets, network computers, information kiosks, etc.) and yet share common data. In addition, you can change technologies at any tier with limited impact on the system modules on other tiers. All this will allow for data consistency and maintaining academic standards a critical success factor for the academic unit.
1-39. Contrasting database development during conceptual data modeling and logical database design phases:
It is often said that conceptual data modeling is done in a top-down fashion, driven from a general understanding of the business area, not from specific information processing activities. Logical database design approaches database development from two perspectives. First, the conceptual data model is transformed into a standard notation through normalization, based on relational database theory. Then, as each computer program in the information system is designed including the program’s input and output formats a detailed review of the transactions, reports, displays, and inquiries supported by the database is performed. This bottom-up analysis verifies exactly what data are to be maintained in the database and the nature of those data as needed for each transaction, report, and so forth. During logical database design, you combine or
integrate the original conceptual data model (more general information) along with the individual user views (more specific information) into a comprehensive design.
1-40. Location of prototype database:
Department databases are often developed in combination by end users, systems professionals working in business units, and central database professionals. A combination of people is necessary since a wide variety of issues must be balanced in the design of shared databases: processing speed, ease of use, differences in data definitions, and the like. Often, the prototype being developed will be located on a development area server, where those involved with the project will have easy access to the database and no likelihood of interfering with the organization’s production databases. This answer assumes that the organization maintains separate development and production servers for the databases.
1-41. Enterprise data models and conceptual data models:
Enterprise data modeling results in a total picture or explanation of organizational data, not the design for a particular database. A particular database provides the data for one or more information systems, whereas an enterprise data model, which may encompass many databases, describes the scope of data maintained by the organization. Therefore, the level of abstraction associated with an enterprise data model is higher; conceptual data models are more detailed.
1-42. Iteration between physical and logical database design:
Database development activities occur in each of the SDLC phases, and it is not only possible but quite frequent that feedback received during a later stage causes a project to return to a prior phase. SDLC activities may find missing elements or errors when designing specific transactions, reports, displays, and inquiries. When a missing element is noticed, for example, it is necessary to revisit the logical database design.
1-43. User views of organizational data:
A good approach in developing this problem for a bank might be to carefully select the views to be developed by collecting a transaction slip, monthly statement (representing each type of account), statement of earnings, etc. Examples of data included in each message are customer information, bank information, and transaction data (checks, deposits, service charges, maintenance fees, overdraft protection fees, and so forth). Statement and deposit slip views are given below, as is the combined conceptual data model. Combining the different views could lead to the addition of new attributes or possibly entities and relationships not being shown in the original views.
Statement view:
Deposit slip view:
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Conceptual data model:
1-44. Explain Figure 1-15:
The single line connection indicates a one-to-one relationship between the entities. In business terms: each order is billed on exactly one invoice, and each invoice is written for only one order. In contrast, many payments can be made on one order. Remember to model for the exceptions.
1-45. Questions about Project Data Model in Figure 1-16:
a. A Customer places many orders, yet an Order is placed by one Customer. Each Order is billed on a single Invoice, and an Invoice is related to a single Order. Each Payment is related to a single Invoice, but an Invoice may be paid with one or several Payments. Each Order contains multiple Order Lines but a specific Order Line refers to only one Order and one Product at a time. Each Product may be seen on multiple Order Lines. Each Product belongs to only one Product Line and a Product Line includes multiple Products. For each Customer, PVFC tracks the ID, Name, Type, Zip Code and number of years it has been a PVFC customer. For Orders, we track Order number along with each order’s placement date, fulfillment date, and number of shipments. For Invoices, we track Invoice number, Order number, and Invoice Date. Each Payment tracks the Invoice Number, Payment Date, and Payment Amount. Each Order Line tracks the specific quantity of product for the specific order. For Products, we track its ID, description, finish, standard price, product cost, prior year’s sale goal, and current year’s sale goal. Each Product Line tracks its name, prior year’s sales goal and current year’s sale
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goal.
b. The aspect of the diagram that is difficult to describe (and may also be difficult to implement and maintain) is the sales goal attributes for the Product Lines and Products. Since it is expressed as Prior Year and Current Year values, this data will need to be maintained with additional programming in the database application, as there is currently no logical design to deal with this time-based data in the proposed design. In my opinion, the reason for this ambiguity is that the prototyping approach did not yet experience the maintenance issues of date-related data in the database, due to the shortened time working with the data and sample reports. As the end user and the analyst work through the database application over time, the need for an adjusted design will become painfully clear.
1-46. SQL statements in Figure 1-18 and 1-19 questions:
a. The field size for the ProductLineName field in the Product table may be 1–40 characters This size is due to the SQL Create Table definition of ProductLineID field being set to 40 characters, with a VARCHAR datatype.
b. The ProductID field is specified as NOT NULL in the SQL statement. ProductID is a required attribute because it is designed as the Primary Key of the table, and in relational design, Primary Key fields cannot be empty or missing.
c. The FOREIGN KEY clause in the SQL statement tells us that the ProductLineID field in the Product_T table refers back to the ProductLineID primary key that is stored in the ProductLine_T table. This FOREIGN KEY clause is the way that referential integrity in a relational database is enforced in the actual physical database.
d. The NOT NULL statement ensures that the ProductID will always have a valid value.
1-47. SQL Query in Figure 1-20:
a. SalesToDate is calculated by multiplying the quantity by the price.
b. Eliminating “Home Office” from the Criteria line under ProductLineName would result in all product line names being displayed, not just the Home Office line.
c. The first three elements of the WHERE clause are used to connect relevant structural elements of two entities with each other to bring data from two tables together (in a so-called relational join) whereas the last element of the WHERE clause limits the rows to be included in the answer set based on a specific value of the ProductLineName column (“Home Office”).
1-48. Figure 1-16 and new Query specification questions:
a. The following entities will be needed: Payment, Invoice, Order, Order Line, Product, Customer
b. All of the above entities will be needed for the SQL query.
1-49. Summary of important properties of data models: All Entities? All Attributes? Technology Independent? DBMS Independent? Record Layouts?
Enterprise Y N Y Y N
Conceptual Y Y Y Y N
Logical Y Y N Y Y
Physical Y Y N N Y
Suggestions for Field Exercises
1-50. You can accomplish this exercise either by arranging a field trip for your class (preferred), or by inviting the IS manager (or other key IS person) to visit your class. Following are some of the key steps to perform:
a. Select an organization. We suggest a midsized manufacturing company or a familiar organization in the service sector such as a hospital or bank.
b. Identify several mainstream applications such as human resource management, material requirements planning, and financial accounting.
c. Determine whether these applications were predominantly developed internally, or purchased from an outside vendor or vendors.
d. Now determine the mix between file processing and database processing for these applications. If a database approach is used, is the data shared among the applications?
e. To draw a figure depicting the files and databases, inquire whether the organization has system flowcharts (or similar documentation) that portray much of this information.
1-51. This exercise is most easily performed as a continuation of Exercise 1-50 Arrange to interview a database administrator or key designer as part of the same field trip. Discuss whether the organization maintains user-oriented metadata, or only technical metadata. Where is this metadata maintained: within individual applications, in one or more CASE tool repositories, or elsewhere?
1-52. If the student has selected an established company with a fairly extensive information systems department, they will find that the company is either already very involved in Web-enabling some or many parts of their business, or that they are actively planning to expand the scope of their involvement. You may want to encourage your students to use this question to explore where the company sees itself going with regard to the Internet. Many older companies are struggling very hard to adjust and remain competitive as the Internet dramatically affects business models.
1-53. Again, as in the previous field exercise, this exercise will help students to integrate their new textbook knowledge with the realities that organizations must
face. Some students will find organizations that are struggling to achieve client/server architecture and also deal with their legacy systems, for example.
1-54. Students will probably find prototyping being used for smaller database applications. Prototyping is often the systems development methodology of choice where visual programming tools such as Visual Basic, Java, Visual C++, and fourth-generation languages are used because of the ease with which the user-system interface can be modified. Large systems that require a new database are more likely to use the SDLC, requiring a team of information systems professionals, including database designers and programmers. The systems development process for Web applications can be similar, with prototyping being employed. However, students may find that there is a lot more testing involved with Web applications, since one has less control over the client interface.
1-55. Students are likely to find some of the following roles on the information systems development teams in larger organizations:
a. Systems analysts, who analyze the business situation and identify the need for information and information services to meet the problems or opportunities of the business
b. Database analysts, who concentrate on determining the requirements and design for the database component of the information system
c. Users, who provide assessment of their information needs and monitor appropriateness of the developed system
d. Programmers, who design and write computer programs that have embedded in them commands to maintain and access data in the database
e. Database and data administrators, who have responsibility for existing and future databases and ensure consistency and integrity across databases; as experts on database technology, they provide consulting and training to other project team members
f. Other technical experts, with facility in networking, operating systems, testing, and documentation
g. A senior systems or database analyst, who will be assigned to be project leader, who is responsible for creating detailed project plans as well as staffing and supervising the project team; this good project leader will possess leadership, management, customer relations and communications, technical problem solving, conflict management, team building, and risk and change management skills.
h. In smaller organizations, students may find that these roles are combined and performed by fewer people because the smaller organizations do not have the additional staff to assign to a diverse team. Thus, fewer people will cover these same functional responsibilities by each person having multiple roles to fulfill. Many employees in small organizations develop deep skill sets in programming, data administration, or technical database administration
expertise.
1-56. Note: See chapter section on “Managing the people involved in database development” for more background on this exercise.
If a CASE tool is being used, a repository stores descriptions of the data entities and the business rules, detailed descriptions of CSFs, and objectives. The information systems department analyzes all of them. Throughout the systems development process, CASE tools are used to develop data models and to maintain (in the repository) the metadata for the database and applications. A repository maintains all of the documentation too. Various people might use the CASE tools and associated repository during a database development project: systems analysts, database analysts, users, programmers, database and data administrators, and other technical specialists. As a significant new portion of a project is completed and entries are made in the repository, a review point occurs so that those working on the project and funding the human and capital resources of the project can assess progress and renew commitment based on incremental achievements.
1-57. Student answers will vary depending on the organization and the functional area chosen for the interview. As long as students are encouraged to contact individuals in larger or corporate environments, answers should reflect a variety of approaches to retrieving data, kinds of systems accessed for data retrieval, frequencies of data retrieval, levels of satisfaction with data access and retrieval, and challenges experienced. This would be a good exercise to assign for out-ofclass investigation and then use in-class time for students to meet in small groups to share their results with one another. A subsequent large-group discussion led by the instructor can readily illustrate the different experiences and raise student awareness of the diversity in organizational approaches to data storage, access, and retrieval.
1-58. Student answers will vary.
Project Questions
1-59. Initial Analysis Memo
a. Approach to addressing the problem
There is obviously no one right solution to this question, and it does not make sense to provide a solution that would suggest that there is. The students should, however, discuss the following types of issues:
• FAME does not seem to have any computing-based solutions beyond personal productivity software, and they do not have any specialized IT personnel (and have no appetite to hire anybody). Any solution they will adopt needs to take this into account: heavy infrastructure or support requirements would, in all likelihood, make a specific approach impossible immediately.
• It appears that the solution could quite well be designed following an
agile, iterative process. There are a number of elements of the system that can be implemented independently and as long as the data management architecture is (at least tentatively) designed in advance, the independent components can be integrated over time. Thus, suggesting a development model that is based on a set of time-boxed iterations is reasonable.
• It is important to discuss the ways in which the development process would interact with ongoing operations of FAME and allow FAME to continue to operate normally while the new system is being developed.
• The students should address the question of ownership of the required infrastructure resources. Would it make any sense for FAME to own its own hardware and system software infrastructure? It seems that an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Platform as a service (PaaS) solution would work well here.
• The memo should address the “buy vs. build” question: why should FAME have this system built instead of buying it from a vendor? The students should do at least initial research on existing systems in this space and their suitability for FAME.
b. Accomplishments, organizational goals, and functionality
o The new system would perform the following functions:
o Reduce errors in contracts, scheduling, and billing
o Make information regarding artist availability centralized and more readily available for everybody, thus allowing faster decisions
o Automate processes that have legal implications (such as those related to making tax payments on behalf of artists)
o Provide better data regarding the performance of various aspects of the FAME organization and enable more effective planning
o Make it possible to speed up the business processes, at least theoretically, allowing FAME to get the artists paid faster
o Make it easier for the artist managers to review recommendations and other information regarding prospective artists
o The system would perform the following functions (at later stages of development):
o Artist scheduling
o Performance billing
o Accounts receivable
o Accounts payable, including artist payments and payments to third parties
o Contract creation, management, and renewals
o Prospect review and management
o Support for marketing systems
The system would help FAME serve its event organizer clients better and thus, provide its artists better and more frequent performance opportunities, and increasing FAME’s commissions.
c. Key benefits
o Reduced errors in scheduling
o Reduced errors and faster speed of billing
o Higher level of accuracy in government payments
o Reduced errors in accounts receivable management
o Faster payments to the artist
o Better management of artists’ and artist managers’ expenses
o Better negotiation position for FAME in conversations with event organizers
o Faster access to high-quality prospects
o Reduced risk of lapsed contracts
o Direct support for marketing communication systems
d. Timeline/road map
o The answer to this question depends on how the project is framed to the students. Our recommendation is that you frame the project in the context of your semester, using real-time constraints.
e. Possible questions for Mr. Forondo
o Are there aspects of the proposed system that are not articulated in the written description?
o How would he define the priorities between the various functionalities and potential benefits of the system?
o Determine whether or not Mr. Forondo has a reasonable idea of the cost of developing such a system from scratch and if he is willing to pay.
o Who are the key stakeholders your team should approach during the requirements specification phases? Who are most likely to be against the plans to develop a new system?
o What are FAME’s growth targets and what impact they will have on the system?
o Are there any particular risks Mr. Forondo is specifically worried about?
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1-60. Enterprise Data Model
Please see the following page for the response to this question.
Question 1-60 Figure 1-4
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