Information Management Flashcards

1
Q

What is a database?

A

An organized collection of logically related data.

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2
Q

What does data represent?

A

Stored representations of objects and events with meaning and importance.

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3
Q

How is information defined?

A

Data that has been processed to increase knowledge.

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4
Q

What is metadata?

A

Data that describes the properties or characteristics of end-user data.

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5
Q

What is a traditional file processing system?

A

A system where each application has its own private files, leading to data redundancy and limited sharing.

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6
Q

What is the database approach?

A

A centralized approach to managing data, overcoming the limitations of traditional file processing.

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7
Q

What is a Database Management System (DBMS)?

A

Software that enables the use of a database approach.

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8
Q

What is an entity in a database context?

A

A person, place, object, event, or concept in the business environment for which information must be recorded.

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9
Q

What is an attribute?

A

A data item describing an entity.

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10
Q

What defines a relationship in a database?

A

The connection between entities.

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11
Q

What is a relational database?

A

A database that establishes relationships between entities using common fields in a relation.

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12
Q

What is data independence?

A

The separation of data descriptions from the application programs.

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13
Q

What does data consistency ensure?

A

That data is accurate and consistent across the database.

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14
Q

What is data sharing?

A

The ability to share data among multiple applications.

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15
Q

What is a user view?

A

A logical description of a portion of the database required by a user.

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16
Q

What is a constraint in a database?

A

A rule that cannot be violated by database users to maintain data integrity.

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17
Q

What is a legacy system?

A

Older applications based on file processing or older database technology.

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18
Q

What is an enterprise application database?

A

A database designed to support organization-wide operations.

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19
Q

What is one advantage of the database approach?

A

Program-data independence.

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20
Q

How does the database approach improve data consistency?

A

By ensuring that data is accurate and consistent across the database.

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21
Q

What is one benefit of improved data sharing?

A

Increased productivity of application development.

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22
Q

What does enforcement of standards in a database approach lead to?

A

Improved data quality.

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23
Q

What are some advantages of the database approach?

A

Improved data accessibility and responsiveness, reduced program maintenance, and improved decision support.

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24
Q

What are some costs and risks associated with the database approach?

A

New and specialized personnel, installation and management costs, conversion costs, need for explicit backup and recovery, and organizational conflict.

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25
Q

What are the components of a database environment?

A

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools, repository, Database Management System (DBMS), database, application programs, user interface, data and database administrators, system developers, and end users.

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26
Q

What types of databases are included in the range of database applications?

A

Personal databases, two-tier client/server databases, multitier client/server databases, and enterprise applications.

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27
Q

What is a key limitation of conventional file processing systems?

A

They lack the advantages provided by database systems, such as improved data accessibility and decision support.

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28
Q

What is the role of data and database administrators?

A

To manage and maintain the database environment and ensure data integrity and security.

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29
Q

What is the significance of explicit backup and recovery in database management?

A

To protect data from loss and ensure data availability in case of failures.

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30
Q

What are the differences between external, conceptual, and internal schemas?

A

External schema defines how users view data, conceptual schema defines the logical structure of the entire database, and internal schema defines how data is physically stored.

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31
Q

What are Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems?

A

Comprehensive business management software that integrates various functions of an organization.

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32
Q

What functions do ERP systems integrate?

A

Manufacturing, sales, finance, marketing, inventory, accounting, and human resources.

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33
Q

What is the purpose of data warehouses?

A

To collect data from different operational databases and analyze historical data for decision-making.

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34
Q

What are personal databases used for?

A

To manage personal information such as contacts, calendars, and finances.

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35
Q

What distinguishes two-tier client/server databases?

A

They have a simple architecture with a client and a server.

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36
Q

What is a key feature of multitier client/server databases?

A

They have a complex architecture with multiple layers (e.g., presentation, application, data).

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37
Q

What is the hierarchical database model?

A

A model where data is organized in a tree-like structure with parent-child relationships.

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38
Q

What does the relational database model represent?

A

Data as tables with rows and columns, using relationships between tables.

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39
Q

Who introduced the relational database model?

A

E.F. Codd in the 1970s.

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40
Q

What is the object-oriented database model suitable for?

A

Storing complex data types such as multimedia.

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41
Q

What is the purpose of multidimensional database models?

A

Designed for data analysis, often used in data warehousing and business intelligence applications.

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42
Q

What database model emerged in the late 1980s to handle complex data like multimedia files?

A

Object-Oriented Database Model.

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43
Q

What is the purpose of the Multidimensional Database Model?

A

Designed for data analysis and visualization, often used in data warehousing and business intelligence applications.

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44
Q

What structured approach does database development typically follow?

A

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

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45
Q

What is the first phase of the SDLC in database development?

A

Planning.

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46
Q

What activity is involved in the Planning phase of the SDLC?

A

Enterprise Modeling and Conceptual Data Modeling.

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47
Q

What is created during the Analysis phase of the SDLC?

A

A detailed data model, including entities, attributes, and relationships.

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48
Q

What does the Design phase of the SDLC involve?

A

Logical Database Design and Physical Database Design and Definition.

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49
Q

What is the focus of the Implementation phase in database development?

A

Writing, testing, and installing database programs and scripts.

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50
Q

What is the purpose of the Maintenance phase in database development?

A

To modify the database structure to accommodate changing business needs.

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51
Q

What is Rapid Application Development (RAD)?

A

An iterative process with rapid analysis, design, and implementation cycles.

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52
Q

What is the goal of Prototyping in database development?

A

To create a working prototype and refine it through user feedback.

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53
Q

What does Agile Software Development emphasize?

A

Flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

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54
Q

What are the three components of the Three-Schema Architecture?

A

External Schema, Conceptual Schema, and Internal Schema.

55
Q

What does the External Schema represent in the Three-Schema Architecture?

A

User views of the data.

56
Q

What does the Conceptual Schema provide in the Three-Schema Architecture?

A

A comprehensive definition of the enterprise’s data.

57
Q

What does the Internal Schema represent in the Three-Schema Architecture?

A

The logical and physical representation of the data.

58
Q

Who are the key professionals involved in a database development project?

A

Business analysts, systems analysts, database analysts, users, programmers, database architects, data administrators, project managers, and other technical experts.

59
Q

What is a major risk related to data quality in database development?

A

Inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent data.

60
Q

What performance problem can occur during database development?

A

Slow query execution or system crashes.

61
Q

What type of risk involves unauthorized access to sensitive data?

A

Security breaches.

62
Q

What can lead to cost overruns in a database development project?

A

Exceeding the budgeted costs.

63
Q

What is a common issue that can cause schedule delays in database projects?

A

Not meeting project deadlines.

64
Q

What can lead to user dissatisfaction in database development?

A

Failure to meet user requirements.

65
Q

What are technical challenges in database development?

A

Difficulties with hardware, software, or database technologies.

66
Q

What is a risk management strategy that involves identifying potential risks?

A

Conducting a risk assessment.

67
Q

What should be done to reduce the likelihood or impact of identified risks?

A

Develop risk mitigation plans.

68
Q

Why is user involvement crucial in information systems success?

A

For understanding requirements and ensuring satisfaction.

69
Q

What is essential for successful development in a project?

A

Effective teamwork and communication among project team members.

70
Q

What role does leadership play in project development?

A

Strong leadership from project managers and key stakeholders is necessary to guide the project and make critical decisions.

71
Q

What should team members possess to carry out their roles effectively?

A

Necessary skills and expertise.

72
Q

How does motivation affect project outcomes?

A

A motivated and committed team is more likely to achieve project goals.

73
Q

What type of organizational culture facilitates successful projects?

A

A supportive organizational culture that values innovation and collaboration.

74
Q

What is needed to address the impact of new systems on employees?

A

Effective change management strategies.

75
Q

What is an information system?

A

A collection of people, data, processes, interfaces, and technology that work together to produce information supporting workflows and decision making.

76
Q

Why is understanding information systems important in information management?

A

It helps in effectively managing data and processes within an organization.

77
Q

What are the major components of an information system?

A

People, data, processes, interfaces, and technology.

78
Q

How do information technology and telecommunication technology differ?

A

They are both major components of an information system but serve different functions.

79
Q

What are the main components of an information system?

A

People, processes, data, interfaces, and technology.

80
Q

What does ‘data’ refer to in an information system?

A

Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.

81
Q

What role do ‘processes’ play in an information system?

A

They are the actions performed on data by the information system.

82
Q

What is the function of ‘interfaces’ in an information system?

A

Software that enables users to interact with the system.

83
Q

Who are considered ‘people’ in the context of an information system?

A

The users of the information system.

84
Q

What does ‘technology’ encompass in an information system?

A

The hardware, software, and telecommunications components that make up the system.

85
Q

What is information technology (IT)?

A

The combination of hardware, software, telecommunications, and data management facilities that enable information systems.

86
Q

What are the physical components of an information system referred to as?

A

Hardware.

87
Q

What is the role of software in an information system?

A

Programs that control the hardware and perform specific tasks.

88
Q

What does telecommunications refer to in an information system?

A

The technology used to transmit data over networks.

89
Q

What is the pioneering relational database system known for reliability, performance, and security?

A

Oracle Database.

90
Q

Which database is dominant for Windows servers and offers strong integration with Microsoft products?

A

Microsoft SQL Server.

91
Q

What is IBM DB2 known for?

A

A powerful database for various platforms, competing directly with Oracle at a lower cost.

92
Q

Which database is seeing a resurgence in next-generation transaction processing?

A

SAP Sybase ASE.

93
Q

What type of database is PostgreSQL?

A

An open-source object-relational database management system (ORDBMS).

94
Q

What is MariaDB Enterprise a fork of?

A

MySQL.

95
Q

How did MySQL evolve in the database market?

A

From a niche database to a major contender powering commercial websites and internal enterprise applications.

96
Q

What is Teradata known for?

A

Being a pioneer in data warehousing solutions.

97
Q

What does Informix offer?

A

A range of database options catering to various needs from entry-level to enterprise.

98
Q

What is Ingres known for in the context of enterprise databases?

A

Being an open-source project that focuses on choice and lowering total cost of ownership.

99
Q

What does Amazon SimpleDB highlight in the database landscape?

A

The growing role of cloud-based database solutions.

100
Q

What factors should be considered when selecting an enterprise database?

A

Scalability, security, platform compatibility, and cost.

101
Q

What is the significance of data modeling in system development?

A

It is crucial for defining data structures and relationships, ensuring effective data management.

102
Q

What are business rules?

A

Policies, procedures, events, functions, and other objects that define constraints on an organization.

103
Q

Why is data modeling considered the most important part of the systems development process?

A

It helps in understanding data requirements and relationships, which is essential for effective system design.

104
Q

What types of relationships can be identified in data modeling?

A

Unary, binary, and ternary relationships.

105
Q

What is the purpose of converting many-to-many relationships in data modeling?

A

To create associative entity relationships for better data organization.

106
Q

What is the role of time stamps in data modeling?

A

They are used to create diagrams for time-dependent data and relationships.

107
Q

Why are data characteristics crucial for system design?

A

The data captured during data modeling influences the design of databases, programs, and other system components.

108
Q

What aspect of information systems presents the greatest challenges?

A

Data, rather than processes.

109
Q

How does data stability compare to processes?

A

Data tends to be more consistent and less subject to change than business processes.

110
Q

What is an Entity-Relationship (E-R) model?

A

A detailed, logical representation of an organization’s data consisting of entities, relationships, and attributes.

111
Q

What does an E-R diagram represent?

A

A graphical representation of an E-R model.

112
Q

What is an entity in the context of an E-R model?

A

A person, place, object, event, or concept about which the organization wants to maintain data.

113
Q

What is the difference between an entity type and an entity instance?

A

An entity type is a collection of entities with common properties, while an entity instance is a single occurrence of an entity type.

114
Q

What are required vs. optional attributes?

A

Required attributes must be present for each entity instance, while optional attributes may or may not have a value.

115
Q

What is the difference between simple and composite attributes?

A

Simple attributes cannot be broken down into smaller components, while composite attributes have meaningful component parts.

116
Q

What distinguishes single-valued attributes from multivalued attributes?

A

Single-valued attributes have only one value per entity instance, while multivalued attributes can have multiple values.

117
Q

What is the difference between stored and derived attributes?

A

Stored attributes are directly stored in the database, while derived attributes are calculated from other attributes.

118
Q

What is an identifier attribute?

A

An attribute that uniquely identifies each instance of an entity type.

119
Q

What is a composite identifier?

A

An identifier composed of multiple attributes.

120
Q

What is a relationship in an E-R model?

A

An association between entities.

121
Q

What is a relationship type?

A

A category of relationship between entity types.

122
Q

What is a relationship instance?

A

An association between specific entity instances.

123
Q

Can attributes be associated with relationships?

A

Yes, attributes can be associated with relationships to capture additional information.

124
Q

What is an associative entity?

A

An entity type that associates instances of other entity types and contains attributes specific to the relationship.

125
Q

What does the degree of a relationship refer to?

A

The number of entity types involved in a relationship (unary, binary, ternary).

126
Q

What are cardinality constraints?

A

They specify the minimum and maximum number of instances of one entity that can be associated with an instance of another entity.

127
Q

What is a time stamp in data modeling?

A

A time value associated with a data value to capture its history.

128
Q

How can time-dependent relationships be modeled?

A

Using time stamps and additional entities.

129
Q

Why might organizations have multiple relationships between the same entity types?

A

To represent different types of interactions or associations.

130
Q

What are the characteristics of meaningful data names?

A

They should be meaningful, unique, readable, repeatable, and follow a standard syntax.

131
Q

What should entity names be like?

A

Singular nouns, specific to the organization, concise, and consistent across diagrams.

132
Q

What are the requirements for attribute names?

A

They should be singular nouns or noun phrases, unique, and follow a standard format.

133
Q

What should relationship names consist of?

A

Verb phrases that are descriptive and avoid vague terms.

134
Q

What should be clearly defined for attributes?

A

Their data types, whether they are required or optional, and any constraints or relationships with other attributes.