Chapter 4: Database concepts II

Question 1

Answer 1

Question 2

To maximise the flexibility of the database structure in the business environment, achieving the _______ normal form is sufficient.

a. Third
b. Boyce-Codd
c. Fourth
d. Fifth

Answer 2

To maximise the flexibility of the database structure in the business environment, achieving the _______ normal form is sufficient.

*a. Third

b. Boyce-Codd
c. Fourth
d. Fifth

Question 3

Normalisation is the process of ____________ to eliminate repeating groups and data redundancies.

a. assigning primary keys to database tables
b. assigning attributes to entities
c. assigning foreign keys to database tables
d. assigning relationships to entities

Answer 3

Normalisation is the process of ____________ to eliminate repeating groups and data redundancies.

a. assigning primary keys to database tables

*b. assigning attributes to entities

c. assigning foreign keys to database tables
d. assigning relationships to entities

Question 4

With respect to REA models, which of the following statements is NOT true?

a. REA models the exchanges in the various processes in an organisation and brings these exchanges together to form an enterprise system.
b. REA models concern the developing of the dualities between resources, events and agents.
c. REA models assists the development of database structures that can be used to capture the details of a business process.
d. REA models have been implemented in actual accounting systems in practice.

Answer 4

With respect to REA models, which of the following statements is NOT true?

a. REA models the exchanges in the various processes in an organisation and brings these exchanges together to form an enterprise system.
b. REA models concern the developing of the dualities between resources, events and agents.
c. REA models assists the development of database structures that can be used to capture the details of a business process.

*d. REA models have been implemented in actual accounting systems in practice.

Question 5

The resource that decreases is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.
c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Answer 5

The resource that decreases is:

a. customer order.

*b. inventory.

c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Question 6

What normal form is the Lecturer Table at?

a. First normal form.
b. Second normal form.
c. Third normal form.
d. The table is not at any normal form.

Answer 6

What normal form is the Lecturer Table at?

a. First normal form.

*b. Second normal form.

c. Third normal form.
d. The table is not at any normal form.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the REA model is incorrect?

a. The REA model emphasises the recording of debits and credits within a relational database environment.
b. The REA provides a structured approach for modelling business processes.
c. The REA model consists of resources, events, and agents.
d. The REA model provides a template for a data model that can be applied in an accounting information system.

Answer 7

Which of the following statements about the REA model is incorrect?

*a. The REA model emphasises the recording of debits and credits within a relational database environment.

b. The REA provides a structured approach for modelling business processes.
c. The REA model consists of resources, events, and agents.
d. The REA model provides a template for a data model that can be applied in an accounting information system.

Question 8

A table in third normal form must not have:

a. abstractive dependencies.
b. binding dependencies.
c. transitive dependencies.
d. substitutive dependencies.

Answer 8

A table in third normal form must not have:

a. abstractive dependencies.
b. binding dependencies.

*c. transitive dependencies.

d. substitutive dependencies.

Question 9

The resource that increases is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.
c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Answer 9

The resource that increases is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.
c. customer payment.

*d. cash.

Question 10

Answer 10

Question 11

A transitive dependency is when:

a. an attribute is dependent on the primary key wholly.
b. an attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.
c. an attribute is only dependent on part of the primary key.
d. none of the above.

Answer 11

A transitive dependency is when:

a. an attribute is dependent on the primary key wholly.

b. an attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.

c. an attribute is only dependent on part of the primary key.
d. none of the above.

Question 12

Which normal form is sufficient for most business applications?

a. Second normal form.
b. Third normal form.
c. Fourth normal form.
d. Fifth normal form.

Answer 12

Which normal form is sufficient for most business applications?

a. Second normal form.

*b. Third normal form.

c. Fourth normal form.
d. Fifth normal form.

Question 13

It is proposed that there are common patterns of inflows and outflows in every exchange. All such exchanges can be best represented by:

a. ER.
b. REA.
c. Relational database.
d. Client-server model.

Answer 13

It is proposed that there are common patterns of inflows and outflows in every exchange. All such exchanges can be best represented by:

a. ER.

*b. REA.

c. Relational database.
d. Client-server model.

Question 14

__________ can be removed by making the non-key attribute that an attribute is dependent on a primary key in a new table with the attribute and by leaving the non-key attribute as a foreign key in the existing table so the attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.

a. Data redundancies
b. Partial dependencies
c. Repeating groups
d. Transitive dependencies

Answer 14

__________ can be removed by making the non-key attribute that an attribute is dependent on a primary key in a new table with the attribute and by leaving the non-key attribute as a foreign key in the existing table so the attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.

a. Data redundancies
b. Partial dependencies
c. Repeating groups

*d. Transitive dependencies

Question 15

The client-server architecture is based on three major components, namely:

a. PCs, servers, and network.
b. hardware, software, and people.
c. hardware, software, and communications middleware.
d. computers, network, and people.

Answer 15

The client-server architecture is based on three major components, namely:

a. PCs, servers, and network.
b. hardware, software, and people.

*c. hardware, software, and communications middleware.

d. computers, network, and people.

Question 16

REA database modelling is based on the premise that:

a. revenues, expenses and accrual items need to be identified for effective modelling.
b. in every exchange in a process there is a revenue, event and agent involved.
c. in every exchange in a process there is a resource, event and agent involved.
d. none of the options are correct.

Answer 16

REA database modelling is based on the premise that:

a. revenues, expenses and accrual items need to be identified for effective modelling.
b. in every exchange in a process there is a revenue, event and agent involved.

*c. in every exchange in a process there is a resource, event and agent involved.

d. none of the options are correct.

Question 17

When developing an enterprise model, the connectivity’s and cardinalities are primarily based on:

a. The general narrative of the organisation’s operations.
b. The revision from areas of the organisation with ownership of the operations, policies, and processes.
c. The Normalisation process.
d. The consolidation of ER diagrams.

Answer 17

When developing an enterprise model, the connectivity’s and cardinalities are primarily based on:

*a. The general narrative of the organisation’s operations.

b. The revision from areas of the organisation with ownership of the operations, policies, and processes.
c. The Normalisation process.
d. The consolidation of ER diagrams.

Question 18

One of the REA model’s greatest advantages is that:

a. it is extremely easy and cost effective for any business to implement.
b. it enables all staff to better understand customer needs.
c. it can store both non-financial and financial data.
d. it enables businesses to identify which staff are the busiest.

Answer 18

One of the REA model’s greatest advantages is that:

a. it is extremely easy and cost effective for any business to implement.
b. it enables all staff to better understand customer needs.

*c. it can store both non-financial and financial data.

d. it enables businesses to identify which staff are the busiest.

Question 19

In a client-server architecture, the concept of ‘thin’ means:

a. slim tower design of the computer case.
b. laptop computers are less bulky.
c. the computer conducts minimal processing.
d. the computer runs on less power.

Answer 19

In a client-server architecture, the concept of ‘thin’ means:

a. slim tower design of the computer case.
b. laptop computers are less bulky.

*c. the computer conducts minimal processing.

d. the computer runs on less power.

Question 20

A table in second normal form must not have:

a. partial dependencies.
b. transitive dependencies.
c. abstractive dependencies.
d. binding dependencies.

Answer 20

A table in second normal form must not have:

*a. partial dependencies.

b. transitive dependencies.
c. abstractive dependencies.
d. binding dependencies.

Question 21

Normalisation is a modelling technique used specifically for which type of database?

a. Hierarchical.
b. Network.
c. Relational.
d. Object-oriented.

Answer 21

Normalisation is a modelling technique used specifically for which type of database?

a. Hierarchical.
b. Network.

*c. Relational.

d. Object-oriented.

Question 22

For more convenient and quicker structuring, manipulating or reporting, one can:

a. pursue the highest normal form possible through normalisation.
b. eliminate data redundancies.
c. leave the repeating groups as they are.
d. create controlled redundancies via lower forms of normalisation.

Answer 22

For more convenient and quicker structuring, manipulating or reporting, one can:

a. pursue the highest normal form possible through normalisation.
b. eliminate data redundancies.
c. leave the repeating groups as they are.

*d. create controlled redundancies via lower forms of normalisation.

Question 23

In an e-commerce environment:

(i) an organisation can open up its database to its suppliers.
(ii) an organisation can allow its employees to access internal databases from outside the company.
(iii) an organisation can open up its database to its customers.
a. (i) (iii)
b. (i) (ii)
c. (ii) (iii)
d. (i) (ii) (iii)

Answer 23

In an e-commerce environment:

(i) an organisation can open up its database to its suppliers.
(ii) an organisation can allow its employees to access internal databases from outside the company.
(iii) an organisation can open up its database to its customers.
a. (i) (iii)
b. (i) (ii)
c. (ii) (iii)

*d. (i) (ii) (iii)

Question 24

Answer 24

Question 25

The event that causes a decrease is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.
c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Answer 25

The event that causes a decrease is:

*a. customer order.

b. inventory.
c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Question 26

Answer 26

Question 27

Controlled redundancies:

a. are allowed for the convenience of structuring data, data manipulation or reporting.
b. should be prevented at all costs.
c. permit the formation of tables that promote structural and data independence.
d. none of the options are correct.

Answer 27

Controlled redundancies:

*a. are allowed for the convenience of structuring data, data manipulation or reporting.

b. should be prevented at all costs.
c. permit the formation of tables that promote structural and data independence.
d. none of the options are correct.

Question 28

When building a traditional accounting system using REA, the REA model:

a. is implemented as it is.
b. is implemented as a relational database.
c. is implemented as business processes.
d. is implemented as an ER model.

Answer 28

When building a traditional accounting system using REA, the REA model:

a. is implemented as it is.

*b. is implemented as a relational database.

c. is implemented as business processes.
d. is implemented as an ER model.

Question 29

Client-server systems can normally be classified as:

a. single-tier and multiple-tier.
b. two-tier and three-tier.
c. internal-tier and external-tier.
d. single-tier and two-tier.

Answer 29

Client-server systems can normally be classified as:

a. single-tier and multiple-tier.

*b. two-tier and three-tier.

c. internal-tier and external-tier.
d. single-tier and two-tier.

Question 30

The attitude of businesses towards using REA to implement accounting systems is best described as:

a. keen.
b. positive.
c. reluctant.
d. negative.

Answer 30

The attitude of businesses towards using REA to implement accounting systems is best described as:

a. keen.
b. positive.

*c. reluctant.

d. negative.

Question 31

How many attributes are present in the Lecturer Table?

a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 30

Answer 31

How many attributes are present in the Lecturer Table?

a. 4

*b. 5

c. 6
d. 30

Question 32

Duality in the REA model refers to:

a. debits equalling credits when recording a transaction.
b. the relationship between events that bring about an increase and decrease in resources.
c. an event can only relate to one resource and each event can only relate to one other event.
d. each event needing two related agents - an internal and external agent.

Answer 32

Duality in the REA model refers to:

a. debits equalling credits when recording a transaction.

*b. the relationship between events that bring about an increase and decrease in resources.

c. an event can only relate to one resource and each event can only relate to one other event.
d. each event needing two related agents - an internal and external agent.

Question 33

Answer 33

Question 34

A composite primary key can also be called a:

a. concatenated primary key.
b. foreign key.
c. primary key.
d. none of the above.

Answer 34

A composite primary key can also be called a:

a. concatenated primary key.

b. foreign key.
c. primary key.
d. none of the above.

Question 35

A partial dependency is when:

a. an attribute is dependent on the primary key wholly.
b. an attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.
c. an attribute is only dependent on part of the primary key.
d. none of the above.

Answer 35

A partial dependency is when:

a. an attribute is dependent on the primary key wholly.
b. an attribute is dependent on the primary key but via a non-key attribute.

c. an attribute is only dependent on part of the primary key.

d. none of the above.

Question 36

Answer 36

Question 37

The software that effects transmission of data and control between client and server is called:

a. communications middleware.
b. a front-end application.
c. a back-end application.
d. none of the options are correct.

Answer 37

The software that effects transmission of data and control between client and server is called:

*a. communications middleware.

b. a front-end application.
c. a back-end application.
d. none of the options are correct.

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT true about the differences between REA and ER diagrams?

a. ER diagrams do not have events.
b. REA diagrams do not show cardinalities.
c. In an REA diagram, entities are sorted into separate columns.
d. Both REA and ER diagrams show relationships.

Answer 38

Which of the following is NOT true about the differences between REA and ER diagrams?

a. ER diagrams do not have events.

*b. REA diagrams do not show cardinalities.

c. In an REA diagram, entities are sorted into separate columns.
d. Both REA and ER diagrams show relationships.

Question 39

__________ occurs where one attribute is dependent on another, but neither is part of the primary key.

a. Partial dependency
b. Transitive dependency
c. Data redundancy
d. Repeating group

Answer 39

__________ occurs where one attribute is dependent on another, but neither is part of the primary key.

a. Partial dependency

*b. Transitive dependency

c. Data redundancy
d. Repeating group

Question 40

In a client-server architecture, the concept of ‘fat’ means:

a. the computer conducts most of the processing.
b. generous space exists in the computer case for extra components.
c. bulky laptops.
d. more power consumption.

Answer 40

In a client-server architecture, the concept of ‘fat’ means:

*a. the computer conducts most of the processing.

b. generous space exists in the computer case for extra components.
c. bulky laptops.
d. more power consumption.

Question 41

The goal of normalisation is to form tables that promote:

a. structural and query independence.
b. relational and data independence.
c. structural and data independence.
d. relational and query independence.

Answer 41

The goal of normalisation is to form tables that promote:

a. structural and query independence.
b. relational and data independence.

*c. structural and data independence.

d. relational and query independence.

Question 42

In a client-server system, the client’s request is handled by intermediate severs that coordinate the execution of the client request with other servers. This is known as a:

a. single-tier client-server system.
b. two-tier client-server system.
c. three-tier client-server system.
d. multiple-tier client-server system.

Answer 42

In a client-server system, the client’s request is handled by intermediate severs that coordinate the execution of the client request with other servers. This is known as a:

a. single-tier client-server system.
b. two-tier client-server system.

*c. three-tier client-server system.

d. multiple-tier client-server system.

Question 43

In a client-server system, which of the following software is loaded into the client computers?

a. Front-end application software.
b. Back-end application software.
c. Communications middleware.
d. Groupware.

Answer 43

In a client-server system, which of the following software is loaded into the client computers?

*a. Front-end application software.

b. Back-end application software.
c. Communications middleware.
d. Groupware.

Question 44

Which of the following is true?

a. The REA model can store non-financial data and financial data.
b. The ER model can store only financial data.
c. The REA model can store only non-financial data.
d. The ER model can store non-financial data or financial data, but not at the same time.

Answer 44

Which of the following is true?

*a. The REA model can store non-financial data and financial data.

b. The ER model can store only financial data.
c. The REA model can store only non-financial data.
d. The ER model can store non-financial data or financial data, but not at the same time.

Question 45

The process of normalisation has ______ outcomes and _____ steps to achieve those outcomes:

a. three; two
b. three; three
c. three; four
d. none of the options are correct

Answer 45

The process of normalisation has ______ outcomes and _____ steps to achieve those outcomes:

a. three; two

*b. three; three

c. three; four
d. none of the options are correct

Question 46

Answer 46

Question 47

A client-server system distributes computing functions between two types of ________ and _______ processes: servers and clients.

a. dependent; autonomous
b. dependent; non - autonomous
c. independent; autonomous
d. independent; non - autonomous

Answer 47

A client-server system distributes computing functions between two types of ________ and _______ processes: servers and clients.

a. dependent; autonomous
b. dependent; non - autonomous

*c. independent; autonomous

d. independent; non - autonomous

Question 48

Answer 48

Question 49

Answer 49

Question 50

Can a table which is in 2NF also be in 3NF?

a. Yes, when there are no partial dependencies.
b. Yes, when there are no transitive dependencies.
c. Yes, when there are no functional dependencies.
d. None of the above.

Answer 50

Can a table which is in 2NF also be in 3NF?

a. Yes, when there are no partial dependencies.

b. Yes, when there are no transitive dependencies.

c. Yes, when there are no functional dependencies.
d. None of the above.

Question 51

Answer 51

Question 52

If we want a table to have no repeating groups, what should we do?

a. Select a primary key that uniquely identifies each line in the table.
b. Remove duplicated records in the table.
c. Create another table and transfer the duplicated instances into the new table.
d. Create foreign keys in the table.

Answer 52

If we want a table to have no repeating groups, what should we do?

*a. Select a primary key that uniquely identifies each line in the table.

b. Remove duplicated records in the table.
c. Create another table and transfer the duplicated instances into the new table.
d. Create foreign keys in the table.

Question 53

Answer 53

Question 54

Redundancies that are allowed for the convenience of structuring data, data manipulation or reporting are referred to as:

a. restricted redundancies.
b. controlled redundancies.
c. normalised redundancies.
d. partial redundancies.

Answer 54

Redundancies that are allowed for the convenience of structuring data, data manipulation or reporting are referred to as:

a. restricted redundancies.

*b. controlled redundancies.

c. normalised redundancies.
d. partial redundancies.

Question 55

How many records are present in the Lecturer Table?

a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 30

Answer 55

How many records are present in the Lecturer Table?

a. 4
b. 5

*c. 6

d. 30

Question 56

Answer 56

Question 57

What best describes the relationship between the entities Subject and Lecturer?

a. A lecturer can teach no subjects but may also teach many subjects.
b. A lecturer always teaches at least one subject.
c. A lecturer always teaches only one subject.
d. A lecturer can, but does not have to, teach only one subject.

Answer 57

What best describes the relationship between the entities Subject and Lecturer?

a. A lecturer can teach no subjects but may also teach many subjects.
b. A lecturer always teaches at least one subject.
c. A lecturer always teaches only one subject.

*d. A lecturer can, but does not have to, teach only one subject.

Question 58

Answer 58

Question 59

Answer 59

Question 60

Answer 60

Question 61

When developing an enterprise model, which of the following sequence is correct?

a. Normalisation -> Construct ER Model -> Review ER Model -> Consolidate ER Model.
b. Construct ER Model -> Consolidate ER Model -> Normalisation -> Review ER Model.
c. Construct ER Model -> Normalisation -> Consolidate ER Model-> Review ER Model.
d. Construct ER Model -> Review ER Model -> Normalisation -> Consolidate ER Model.

Answer 61

When developing an enterprise model, which of the following sequence is correct?

a. Normalisation -> Construct ER Model -> Review ER Model -> Consolidate ER Model.
b. Construct ER Model -> Consolidate ER Model -> Normalisation -> Review ER Model.
c. Construct ER Model -> Normalisation -> Consolidate ER Model-> Review ER Model.

*d. Construct ER Model -> Review ER Model -> Normalisation -> Consolidate ER Model.

Question 62

The process of developing an enterprise model is:

a. incremental.
b. interlocking.
c. iterative.
d. agile.

Answer 62

The process of developing an enterprise model is:

a. incremental.
b. interlocking.

*c. iterative.

d. agile.

Question 63

A table to be normalised starts at what normal form?

a. 0NF
b. 1NF
c. 2NF
d. 3NF

Answer 63

A table to be normalised starts at what normal form?

a. 0NF

b. 1NF
c. 2NF
d. 3NF

Question 64

Client–server architecture is based on:

a. hardware, software and communications middleware.
b. mainframes and terminals.
c. databases, tables and keys.
d. none of the above.

Answer 64

Client–server architecture is based on:

a. hardware, software and communications middleware.

b. mainframes and terminals.
c. databases, tables and keys.
d. none of the above.

Question 65

In the REA diagram shown below, the event that causes an increase is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.
c. customer payment.
d. cash.

Answer 65

In the REA diagram shown below, the event that causes an increase is:

a. customer order.
b. inventory.

*c. customer payment.

d. cash.

Question 66

The best attribute to be chosen as the primary key for the Lecturer Table is:

a. Surname.
b. Surname and Given_Name.
c. Lecturer_Code.
d. Given _Name.

Answer 66

The best attribute to be chosen as the primary key for the Lecturer Table is:

a. Surname.
b. Surname and Given_Name.

*c. Lecturer_Code.

d. Given _Name.

Question 67

Which of the following combination regarding the client-server architecture is correct?

a. A thin client with a fat server.
b. A thin client with a thin server.
c. A fat client with a fat server.
d. Any combination of thin and fat clients and servers is fine.

Answer 67

Which of the following combination regarding the client-server architecture is correct?

*a. A thin client with a fat server.

b. A thin client with a thin server.
c. A fat client with a fat server.
d. Any combination of thin and fat clients and servers is fine.

Question 68

Normal forms higher than 3NF are often not performed because:

a. the process usually requires artificial assumptions that rarely hold in the business environment.
b. the process is too time-consuming.
c. the process requires special knowledge in database design that is not generally available in the everyday business environment.
d. the process is for academic use only.

Answer 68

Normal forms higher than 3NF are often not performed because:

*a. the process usually requires artificial assumptions that rarely hold in the business environment.

b. the process is too time-consuming.
c. the process requires special knowledge in database design that is not generally available in the everyday business environment.
d. the process is for academic use only.

Question 69

If an organisation decided to open up its database to its suppliers, it must:

(i) Discuss with the suppliers how electronic connections are done.
(ii) Discuss with the suppliers how relevant costs are shared.
(iii) Discuss with the suppliers what data are actually needed by them.
a. (i) (ii)
b. (ii) (iii)
c. (i) (iii)
d. (i) (ii) (iii)

Answer 69

If an organisation decided to open up its database to its suppliers, it must:

(i) Discuss with the suppliers how electronic connections are done.
(ii) Discuss with the suppliers how relevant costs are shared.
(iii) Discuss with the suppliers what data are actually needed by them.
a. (i) (ii)
b. (ii) (iii)
c. (i) (iii)

*d. (i) (ii) (iii)