1i Encoding Data

Question 0

A booking form has been created for the website. When the information is received from the website it is encoded before being entered into the database.
Describe two advantages of encoding data (4 marks)

Answer 0

2 from, one for identification, second for expansion/example.
Less memory requirement (1) storing less information therefore less memory is required (1)
Increased security (1) If the codes are not apparent then it is difficult to know and understand the meaning of the codes (1) Speed of input increased (1) the codes take less time to enter therefore it is quicker to input large amount of data (1)
Data Validation possible (1) since the codes follow a strict set of numbers and letters they are easy to validate/less input errors(1)
Better organisation of data (1) if the data is in a standardised format then it can be compared and organised (1)

Question 1

Before the order information is saved into the company’s order database, it is encoded. (a) Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of encoding data (4 marks)

Answer 1

Advantages:
Less memory requirement (1) storing less information therefore less memory
is required (1)
Increased security (1) If the codes are not apparent then it is difficult to know
and understand the meaning of the codes (1)
Speed of input increased (1) the codes take less time to enter therefore it is quicker to input large amount of data (1)
Data Validation possible (1) since the codes follow a strict set of numbers and letters they are easy to validate (1)
Better organisation of data (1) if the data is in a standardised format then it
can be compared and organised (1)
Disadvantage:
Precision coarsened (1) unlikely to encode exact data (1)
Difficult to code value judgements (1) different people have different value
systems (1)
Limited codes (1) eventually all will be used up (1)
Once encoded no access to original forms (1) cannot confirm data entered (1)
User needs to know codes used (1) cannot encode data correctly (1)

Question 2

Some of the data is encoded before being entered into the database.
Describe two advantages of encoding data (4 marks)

Answer 2

2 from - 2 marks each
Data is shortened (1) allows more to be stored in same space (1)
Quicker to enter data (1) less data to enter (1)
Allows validation (1) data entered is reasonable/sensible/follows rules /less change of error (1) Limited codes (1) allows validation to be used (1)
Security (1) key needs to be known (1)