Test: Database Systems
1 Some large data processing projects make use of distributed computing.
a) Explain what is meant by distributed computing. [2]
b) State the advantages of distributed computing. [2]
c) State the disadvantages of distributed computing. [2]
2 A public library in a large town uses a relational database for their book lending system.
When a borrower takes out a book, the loan is recorded. Relational databases hold the data
in a number of tables. In this library system there is a table for Borrower, which is partially shown
below:
BORROWER [BorrowerID, Surname, Firstname, ....]
where BorrowerID is the primary key.
a) Explain what is meant by a primary key and a foreign key. [2]
b) Give two other suitable tables, you would expect to see in this library loan system, identifying
any primary or foreign keys. [7]
3 Give three reasons why relational databases are more secure than the flat file approach. [3]
4 The Council’s library service uses a data warehouse to hold details about all library loans
throughout its area. Holding this large central store of data allows the library staff to use data mining.
a) Describe what is meant by a data warehouse and explain the advantages it might give the
library service. [3]
b) Explain what is meant by data mining and give an example of how the library staff might
use it. [3]
5 Relational databases are becoming increasingly important to all organisations that handle data.
Explain what is meant by each of the following terms:
a) data consistency [1]
b) data redundancy [1]
c) data integrity [1]
d) data independence [1]
6 A village sports club uses a database management system to operate a membership and fixture
system. Members normally register for more than one sport. Fixtures against other villages are
arranged in a wide variety of sports involving a large number of teams. One table in this database could
be:
SPORT [Sportid, Sport name, Home venue]
with Sportid being the primary key.
a) Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database, identifying any
primary or foreign keys. [8]
7 A commercial company uses a data warehouse to hold details about customers and their
purchases.
a) Describe what a data warehouse is and explain the advantages it gives this company. [5]
b) Explain what is meant by data mining and give an example of how the company might use it. [3]
8. A hospital uses a relational database management system for storing patient records. Staff and patients
are allocated to wards.
a) Explain what is meant by the term data normalisation. [2]
One table in this database could be STAFF (Staff Id, Name, Contact no, Ward no)
With Staff Id being the primary key and Ward no the foreign key.
b) Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database, identifying any
primary or foreign keys. [6]
c) Explain why relational databases are more secure than a flat file approach for storing patient
records. [2]
9 Most Health authorities now use distributed databases. Explain what is meant by the term
distributed database and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. [7]
a) Explain what is meant by distributed computing. [2]
b) State the advantages of distributed computing. [2]
c) State the disadvantages of distributed computing. [2]
2 A public library in a large town uses a relational database for their book lending system.
When a borrower takes out a book, the loan is recorded. Relational databases hold the data
in a number of tables. In this library system there is a table for Borrower, which is partially shown
below:
BORROWER [BorrowerID, Surname, Firstname, ....]
where BorrowerID is the primary key.
a) Explain what is meant by a primary key and a foreign key. [2]
b) Give two other suitable tables, you would expect to see in this library loan system, identifying
any primary or foreign keys. [7]
3 Give three reasons why relational databases are more secure than the flat file approach. [3]
4 The Council’s library service uses a data warehouse to hold details about all library loans
throughout its area. Holding this large central store of data allows the library staff to use data mining.
a) Describe what is meant by a data warehouse and explain the advantages it might give the
library service. [3]
b) Explain what is meant by data mining and give an example of how the library staff might
use it. [3]
5 Relational databases are becoming increasingly important to all organisations that handle data.
Explain what is meant by each of the following terms:
a) data consistency [1]
b) data redundancy [1]
c) data integrity [1]
d) data independence [1]
6 A village sports club uses a database management system to operate a membership and fixture
system. Members normally register for more than one sport. Fixtures against other villages are
arranged in a wide variety of sports involving a large number of teams. One table in this database could
be:
SPORT [Sportid, Sport name, Home venue]
with Sportid being the primary key.
a) Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database, identifying any
primary or foreign keys. [8]
7 A commercial company uses a data warehouse to hold details about customers and their
purchases.
a) Describe what a data warehouse is and explain the advantages it gives this company. [5]
b) Explain what is meant by data mining and give an example of how the company might use it. [3]
8. A hospital uses a relational database management system for storing patient records. Staff and patients
are allocated to wards.
a) Explain what is meant by the term data normalisation. [2]
One table in this database could be STAFF (Staff Id, Name, Contact no, Ward no)
With Staff Id being the primary key and Ward no the foreign key.
b) Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database, identifying any
primary or foreign keys. [6]
c) Explain why relational databases are more secure than a flat file approach for storing patient
records. [2]
9 Most Health authorities now use distributed databases. Explain what is meant by the term
distributed database and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. [7]
