Information Systems And Databases

Question 0

What is the logical structure of a flat file database?

Answer 0

A flat file database is comprised of a file, made up of one table, with multiple records related to the same item, fields in each item related to a discrete piece of information (Name)

Question 1

What is a DBMS?

Answer 1

A database management system is the program that manages a database. This allows for the linking of entities, searching and sorting features, etc.

Question 2

What is a record

Answer 2

A record is collection of fields, related by the fact that they are collection of data about a particular thing. For example, a record in a database might represent a record of a book. In the database then, the fields would be author, book title, isbn etc

Question 3

What is a field?

Answer 3

A piece of data about a thing, within a database, made up if characters. A collection of fields about one object is a record.

Question 4

What is a character?

Answer 4

A single character entered via keyboard, combined into words

Question 5

What are the two types of queries in a database?

Answer 5

QBE and SQL

Question 6

What is QBE

Answer 6

Query by example, is when you search a database by entering in a sample of data, and the database searches for similar records

Question 7

What is SQL?

Answer 7

Structured query language, which is a searching language used to query a database

Question 8

What is the structure of an SQL command?

Answer 8

SELECT fields
FROM table
WHERE criteria
ORDERBY field ASC

Question 9

Define collecting

Answer 9

Inputting data into the system, preparing data for entry

Question 10

Define organising

Answer 10

Preparing data for the other information processes

Question 11

What is analysing?

Answer 11

Structuring data to give meaning to people. Turns data into information

Question 12

What is storing and retrieving

Answer 12

Saving data for later, then being able to access that data when necessary.

Question 13

What is transmitting and receiving

Answer 13

Involved with transfer of data within or between systems

Question 14

What is processing?

Answer 14

Updating, maintaining data within the system

Question 15

What is display?

Answer 15

Output of the system. Could be paper, screen, sound. Could be data going into another system

Question 16

Define normalisation

Answer 16

Normalisation is a method to reduce the data redundancy of a data base file. E.g date of birth and birth date

Question 17

What are the methods of display in a data base

Answer 17

Reports, tables

Question 18

What is the difference between SQL and QBE

Answer 18

SQL uses specific key words while QBE is used when you want to find something e.g a room number

Question 19

Define normalisation

Answer 19

Normalisation is a method to reduce the data redundancy of a data base file. E.g date of birth and birth date

Question 20

What are the methods of display in a data base

Answer 20

Reports, tables

Question 21

What is the difference between SQL and QBE

Answer 21

SQL uses specific key words while QBE is used when you want to find something e.g a room number

Question 22

Name some characteristics of an Information System.

Answer 22

• Organisation of Data
• Data must be organised before it can be stored and analysed by the information system.
• Analysis of Information
• Access to information and the resulting knowledge is the purpose of an information system.

Question 23

What are the types of Information Systems?

Answer 23

Transaction Processing System
Decision Support Systems
Expert Systems
Management Information Systems
Office Automation Systems

Question 24

What is the purpose of a Transaction Processing System?

Answer 24

• Collect, store, modify and retrieve the daily transactions of an organisation
• Batch processing - collects the transaction data into a group and processes it at a later date
• Real time processing - each transaction is completed or processes immediately and provides instant confirmation of the transaction

Question 25

What is the purpose of a Decision Support System?

Answer 25

• Assist people to make decisions by providing information, models, and analysis tools, e.g. stock market analysis

Question 26

What is the purpose of an Expert System?

Answer 26

• Provide information and solve problems that would otherwise require a person experienced in that field.

Question 27

What is the purpose of a Management Information System?

Answer 27

• Provide information for the organisations managers. A MIS presents basic facts about the performance of the organisation.

Question 28

What is the purpose of a Office Automation System?

Answer 28

• Proved people with effective ways to complete administration tasks in an organisation, using a range of software tools.