Question 1

The processing and inquiry objectives of file usage are both addressed by
A) sequential-access file organization.
B) fully inverted index file organization.
C) indexed-sequential file organization.
D) direct-access file organization.

Accepted Answer

Indexed-sequential file organization allows for fast direct access to specific records while also allowing for sequential processing of the entire file. This makes it an effective choice for addressing both processing and inquiry objectives of file usage.

Question 2

The processing time required to maintain a fully inverted file
A) is fast since the entire index can be loaded into primary memory.
B) is almost instantaneous because long indexes can be factored into subindexes.
C) is fast when two processors are used simultaneously to process the data and index files at the same time.
D) can be high since the indexes require more disk storage and must be updated whenever records are added, deleted, or changed.

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a fully inverted file requires more disk storage and time for updating the indexes whenever records are added, deleted, or changed. Therefore, the processing time can be high. Option A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not reflect the actual scenario of maintaining a fully inverted file.

Question 3

The use of a randomizing transformation to process transactions against a direct-access master file is based on
A) comparing the master record key and the transaction record key for equality.
B) converting the transaction record key to a storage area location address by using a mathematical algorithm.
C) searching a list structure for the associated master file record.
D) searching an index for the associated master file record.

Accepted Answer

The use of a randomizing transformation involves converting the transaction record key to a storage area location address using a mathematical algorithm. This allows for faster processing of transactions against a direct-access master file, as the location of the corresponding record can be determined without having to search through a list or index.

Question 4

A widely used method of storing and locating records in a direct-access file is
A) when a record's key field corresponds directly to the coding scheme used by the computer itself.
B) to store physical device addresses as a field within a file's records.
C) to convert a key to a storage location address using an index.
D) to convert a key to a storage location address using a randomizing transformation.

Accepted Answer

The correct method mentioned for storing and locating records in a direct-access file involves converting a key to a storage location address using a randomizing transformation. This method helps in evenly distributing records across the storage space, reducing the likelihood of clustering and improving access times.

Question 5

Pointer fields are not used in
A) relational structures.
B) list structures.
C) hypertext models.
D) semantic data networks.

Accepted Answer

Relational structures do not use pointers as they rely on relational algebra operations to link data between tables. Pointers are commonly used in list structures, hypertext models, and semantic data networks to link elements or nodes.

Question 6

The purpose of the index in an ISAM file is to
A) increase the time needed to write records on the prime area.
B) bump records to the overflow area when no prime space is available.
C) link the record key to the address.
D) search tracks for the desired record.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the index in an ISAM file is to link the record key to the address, allowing for faster retrieval of records. The index serves as a lookup table that maps each record key to the physical location of the corresponding record on disk. This allows the system to quickly locate the desired record without the need to scan through the entire file. The index is typically stored separately from the data in a data structure such as a B-tree or hash table.

Question 7

An indexed-sequential file contains
A) an index, a prime area, and an overflow area.
B) an index, a parent file, and a child file.
C) an index, an access area, and a hierarchical file.
D) an index, an overflow area, and a fully inverted file.

Accepted Answer

An indexed-sequential file is a combination of an indexed file and a sequential file. It contains an index that allows for efficient retrieval of records and a prime area where the records are stored in sequential order. If the prime area becomes full, overflow areas are used to store additional records.

Question 8

In the object-oriented modeling technique,an object class has the following structure: PAPER_INVENTORY (SUPPLIER_NO,DISCOUNT)
What is the structure of the subclass COPY having the unique attributes QUANTITY and TYPE?
A) COPY (QUANTITY, TYPE)
B) COPY (SUPPLIER_NO, QUANTITY, TYPE)
C) COPY (SUPPLIER_NO, DISCOUNT, QUANTITY, TYPE)
D) COPY (PAPER_INVENTORY, QUANTITY, TYPE)

Accepted Answer

In object-oriented modeling, a subclass inherits attributes from its superclass. The subclass COPY inherits SUPPLIER_NO and DISCOUNT from PAPER_INVENTORY and adds its unique attributes QUANTITY and TYPE, resulting in the structure COPY (SUPPLIER_NO, DISCOUNT, QUANTITY, TYPE).

Question 9

Which of the following is characteristic of the indexed-sequential access method?
A) Processing is direct-access; queries are sequential.
B) Processing is sequential; queries are handled through an index.
C) Processing and queries are both handled through an index.
D) Processing and queries are both sequential.

Accepted Answer

The indexed-sequential access method involves sequential processing but allows for queries to be handled through an index, which improves access time. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because queries are not sequential, and option C is incorrect because processing still involves sequential access. Option D is also incorrect as only queries are not sequential, not both processing and queries.

Question 10

In a relational database,tables in which no key field is allowed to determine the values of any nonkey field are said to be
A) unnormalized.
B) in the third normal form.
C) in the first normal form.
D) in the second normal form.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a relational database,tables in which no...

Question 11

What data are stored in the index of an indexed file?
A) The keys and the disk addresses of the individual records
B) The disk addresses of the individual records
C) All essential fields for the individual records
D) The keys for the individual records

Accepted Answer

The index of an indexed file stores the keys and the disk addresses of the individual records, which allows for efficient searching and retrieval of records. By using the key values stored in the index, the file system can quickly determine the disk address of the record that matches a particular search criteria.

Question 12

Overflow in a directly-accessed file means
A) hashing a record to an address.
B) vacant storage space created by the hashing results.
C) extra storage space is required because the hashing results in more than one record being assigned to the same address.
D) a separate section of the disk is allocated for file additions.

Accepted Answer

When a directly-accessed file is hashed, each record is assigned to a specific address. However, it is possible for multiple records to hash to the same address. When this happens, extra storage space is required to avoid overwriting existing records. This extra space is known as overflow. Therefore, option C best describes what overflow in a directly-accessed file means. Options A, B, and D do not accurately describe overflow in this context.

Question 13

The logical structure most commonly used in business today is the
A) tree structure.
B) network structure.
C) hierarchical structure.
D) relational structure.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The logical structure most commonly used in...

Question 14

In a relational database,tables that do not have any nonkey fields determining the values of other nonkey fields are said to be
A) in the first normal form.
B) in the second normal form.
C) in the third normal form.
D) unnormalized.

Accepted Answer

Tables in the third normal form (3NF) do not have any nonkey fields determining the values of other nonkey fields, ensuring that each nonkey field is only dependent on the primary key.

Question 15

In the object-oriented database modeling technique,an object class divided into subclasses represents an
A) object.
B) entity.
C) inheritance relationship.
D) object class.

Accepted Answer

When an object class is divided into subclasses, it represents an inheritance relationship between the super class and the sub classes. This allows for hierarchical organization of classes and the ability to inherit attributes and behaviors from the super class. Therefore, the correct answer is C) inheritance relationship.

Question 16

The database structure which allows a child segment to have more than one parent is the
A) network.
B) sequential.
C) tree.
D) object.

Accepted Answer

The network database structure allows for a child segment to have more than one parent. This is because in a network structure, records are linked together in a mesh-like structure rather than a linear hierarchy, allowing for multiple relationships between segments. The other options, sequential and tree, are both hierarchical structures that do not allow for multiple parent relationships. Object databases are also hierarchical but may allow for more complex relationships between objects.

Question 17

In the entity-relationship model,a diamond shape in a diagram represents
A) a relationship.
B) an entity.
C) an attribute.
D) an object.

Accepted Answer

In the entity-relationship model, a diamond shape in a diagram represents a relationship between two entities.

Question 18

Tables without repeating groups in a relational database are said to be
A) unnormalized.
B) in the first normal form.
C) in the second normal form.
D) in the third normal form.

Accepted Answer

Tables in the first normal form (1NF) have atomic values and no repeating groups. This is the most basic level of normalization and is essential for data integrity and clarity in a relational database. Tables in higher forms of normalization, such as second normal form (2NF) and third normal form (3NF), built on the foundation of 1NF by eliminating other types of data anomalies. However, the question specifies tables without repeating groups, which is exactly what 1NF is designed to address.

Question 19

Network,tree,and relational models are examples of database structure at which level?
A) Physical level
B) Logical level
C) Conceptual level
D) Hierarchical level

Accepted Answer

Network, tree, and relational models are all examples of logical database structures, which describe how data is organized and accessed by users and applications, in contrast to physical structures (which describe how data is stored on disk) and conceptual structures (which describe the underlying data model and relationships between entities). The hierarchical level isn't a common term used in discussing database structures.

Question 20

Sequential-access files are useful
A) when only a small number of records need to be accessed in a file containing a large number of records.
B) in batch processing.
C) when files are unsorted.
D) when a large accounts receivable master file is in random account number order.

Accepted Answer

Sequential-access files are useful in batch processing, where large volumes of data are processed in batches. In batch processing, data is processed in sequential order, and sequential-access files are ideal for this purpose. They are also useful when the data in the file is sorted in a specific order, such as by date or time, allowing for easy retrieval of data. However, they are generally not ideal for situations where random access to data is required, such as in a database or accounts receivable master file.

Quiz 13: Data Management Concepts

The processing and inquiry objectives of file usage are both addressed by

The processing time required to maintain a fully inverted file

The use of a randomizing transformation to process transactions against a direct-access master file is based on

A widely used method of storing and locating records in a direct-access file is

Pointer fields are not used in

The purpose of the index in an ISAM file is to

An indexed-sequential file contains

In the object-oriented modeling technique,an object class has the following structure: PAPER_INVENTORY (SUPPLIER_NO,DISCOUNT) What is the structure of the subclass COPY having the unique attributes QUANTITY and TYPE?

Which of the following is characteristic of the indexed-sequential access method?

In a relational database,tables in which no key field is allowed to determine the values of any nonkey field are said to be

What data are stored in the index of an indexed file?

Overflow in a directly-accessed file means

The logical structure most commonly used in business today is the

In a relational database,tables that do not have any nonkey fields determining the values of other nonkey fields are said to be

In the object-oriented database modeling technique,an object class divided into subclasses represents an

The database structure which allows a child segment to have more than one parent is the

In the entity-relationship model,a diamond shape in a diagram represents

Tables without repeating groups in a relational database are said to be

Network,tree,and relational models are examples of database structure at which level?

Sequential-access files are useful