Deck 5: Data and Process Modeling

Question 1

What makes one system more complex than another is the number of components, the number of levels, and the degree of interaction among its processes, entities, data stores, and data flows.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

When a data flow diagram (DFD) is exploded, the higher-level diagram is called the child diagram, and the lower-level diagram is referred to as the parent diagram.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When a data flow diagram (DFD) is exploded, the higher-level diagram is called the child diagram, and the lower-level diagram is referred to as the parent diagram.​

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Deciding whether to explode a process further or determine that it is a functional primitive is a matter of experience, judgment, and interaction with programmers who must translate the logical design into code.

Question 5

In a data flow diagram (DFD), a data flow must have a process symbol on at least one end.

Question 6

A data flow diagram (DFD) does not show the external entities that provide data to the system or receive output from the system.

Question 7

Data stores are shown in a context diagram because data stores are external to the system.

Question 8

In data and process modeling, a(n) _____ shows what the system must do, regardless of how it will be implemented physically.

A) organizational model
B) physical model
C) logical model
D) relational model

Question 9

A decision tree is read from left to right, with the conditions along the various branches and the actions at the far left.

Question 10

A _____ shows how data acts through an information system but does not show program logic or processing steps.

A) data flow diagram
B) data tree diagram
C) data model diagram
D) data structure diagram

Question 11

The primary purpose of pseudocode is to describe the underlying business logic of code.

Question 12

In a data flow diagram (DFD), a process symbol can have only one outgoing data flow.​

Question 13

Later in the systems design phase, you build a logical model that describes how a system will be constructed.

Question 14

Using Gane and Sarson symbols, a data flow diagram (DFD) represents processes as rectangles with rounded corners.

Question 15

In a data flow diagram (DFD), systems analysts call an entity that receives data from the system a source.

Question 16

A data flow diagram (DFD) shows _____.

A) how data is related
B) what key fields are stored in the system
C) how a system transforms input data into useful information
D) what data is stored in the system

Question 17

In addition to the Gane and Sarson symbol set, another popular symbol set is _____.

A) Mantissa
B) Jira
C) Zachman
D) Yourdon

Question 18

In data flow diagrams (DFD), systems analysts call an entity that supplies data to the system a sink.

Question 19

In a data flow diagram (DFD), processes contain the business logic, also called business rules, which transform the data and produce the required results.​

Question 20

When a context diagram is expanded into data flow diagram (DFD) diagram 0, all the connections that flow into and out of process 0 must be retained.

Question 21

In a data flow diagram (DFD), the Gane and Sarson symbol for an entity is a ____.

A) rectangle with rounded corners
B) line with a single or double arrowhead
C) flat rectangle that is open on the right side and closed on the left side
D) rectangle, which may be shaded to make it look three-dimensional

Question 22

In a data flow diagram (DFD), a gray hole is a process that has _____.

A) no input
B) at least one output and one input, but the output obviously is insufficient to generate the input shown
C) no output
D) at least one input and one output, but the input obviously is insufficient to generate the output shown

Question 23

_____ maintains consistency among data flow diagrams (DFDs) by ensuring that input and output data flows align properly.

A) Balancing
B) Indexing
C) Adapting
D) Shipping

Question 24

_____ is the process of drawing a series of increasingly detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs), until all functional primitives are identified.

A) Leveling
B) Balancing
C) Indexing
D) Looping

Question 25

In a data flow diagram (DFD), a black hole is a process that has _____.

A) no input
B) at least one output and one input, but the output obviously is insufficient to generate the input shown
C) no output
D) at least one input and one output, but the input obviously is insufficient to generate the output shown

Question 26

Among the symbols in the accompanying figure, a _____ is a path for data to move from one part of the information system to another.

A) data store
B) data flow
C) process
D) gray hole

Question 27

Since diagram 0 is a(n) _____ version of process 0, it shows considerably more detail than a context diagram.

A) contracted
B) exploded
C) condensed
D) extrapolated

Question 28

Data flow diagram (DFD) entities are also called _____ because they are data origins or final data destinations.

A) data stores
B) pseudocodes
C) terminators
D) gray holes

Question 29

In a data flow diagram (DFD), the Gane and Sarson symbol for a data store is a _____.

A) rectangle with rounded corners
B) line with a single or double arrowhead
C) flat rectangle that is open on the right side and closed on the left side
D) rectangle, which may be shaded to make it look three-dimensional

Question 30

By showing processes as _____, an analyst can create data flow diagrams (DFDs) that show how the system functions but avoid unnecessary detail and clutter.

A) black boxes
B) process descriptions
C) business rules
D) decision tables

Question 31

In a data flow diagram (DFD), the Gane and Sarson symbol for a data flow is a _____.

A) segment of a differentiable curve
B) line with a single or double arrowhead
C) flat rectangle that is open on the right side and closed on the left side
D) triangle, which may be shaded to make it look three-dimensional

Question 32

If processes must be performed in a specific sequence, the information should be documented in the _____.

A) leveling guide
B) process descriptions
C) data dictionary
D) data flow diagram (DFD)

Question 33

Among the symbols in the accompanying figure, a _____ is used to represent data that a system stores because one or more processes need to use the data at a later time.

A) data store
B) data flow
C) process
D) gray hole

Question 34

Leveling _____.

A) uses a series of increasingly detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs) to describe an information system
B) ensures that the input and output data flows of the parent data flow diagram (DFD) are maintained on the child data flow diagram (DFD)
C) uses a series of increasingly sketchy data flow diagrams (DFDs) to describe an information system
D) ensures that the input and output data flows of the child data flow diagram (DFD) are maintained on the parent data flow diagram (DFD)

Question 35

In data flow diagrams (DFDs), a process resembles a _____, where the inputs, outputs, and general functions of the process are known, but the underlying details are not shown.

A) black box
B) terminator
C) business rule
D) decision table

Question 36

Using _____, an analyst starts with an overall view, which is a context diagram with a single process symbol, and then the analyst creates diagram 0, which shows more detail.

A) balancing
B) indexing
C) exploding
D) leveling

Question 37

In a data flow diagram (DFD), the Gane and Sarson symbol for a process is a _____.

A) rectangle with rounded corners
B) line with a single or double arrowhead
C) flat rectangle that is open on the right side and closed on the left side
D) rectangle, which may be shaded to make it look three-dimensional

Question 38

In a data flow diagram (DFD), a spontaneous generation process is a process that has _____.

A) no input
B) at least one output and one input, but the output obviously is insufficient to generate the input shown
C) no output
D) at least one input and one output, but the input obviously is insufficient to generate the output shown

Question 39

A _____ is logically impossible in a data flow diagram (DFD) because a process must act on input, shown by an incoming data flow, and produce output, represented by an outgoing data flow.

A) spontaneous combustion
B) gray matter
C) black hole
D) server farm

Question 40

Among the symbols in the accompanying figure, a _____ receives input data and produces output that has a different content, form, or both.

A) data store
B) data flow
C) process
D) gray hole

Question 41

A _____ shows a logical structure, with all possible combinations of conditions and resulting actions.

A) pseudo table
B) database table
C) decision table
D) validation table

Question 42

_____ is based on combinations of the three logical structures, or control structures (one of which is shown in the accompanying figure), which serve as building blocks for the process.

A) Modular design
B) Interface design
C) Visual design
D) Product design

Question 43

In a data dictionary, data elements are combined into _____ that are meaningful combinations of data elements that are included in data flows or retained in data stores.

A) fields
B) columns
C) records
D) decimals

Question 44

Typical process description tools include _____.

A) context diagrams
B) decision trees
C) pseudocode
D) database tables

Question 45

The iteration structure is the completion of _____.

A) one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition
B) steps in a chronological order, one after another
C) a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes
D) a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

Question 46

In a data dictionary, _____ is the maximum number of characters for an alphabetic or character data element or the maximum number of digits and number of decimal positions for a numeric data element.

A) domain
B) valence
C) length
D) index

Question 47

The selection structure is the completion of _____.

A) one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition
B) steps in a chronological order, one after another
C) a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes
D) a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

Question 48

In the accompanying figure, the sequence structure is the completion of _____.

A) one or more process steps based on the results of a test or condition
B) steps in a chronological order, one after another
C) a process step that is repeated until a specific condition changes
D) a specific condition that is repeated until a process changes

Question 49

A _____ documents the details of a functional primitive, which represents a specific set of processing steps and business logic.

A) logical description
B) primitive description
C) process description
D) function-based description

Question 50

In a data dictionary, some data elements have _____ rules. For example, an employee's salary must be within the range defined for the employee's job classification.

A) domain
B) range
C) validity
D) mastered

Question 51

Decision trees show the logic structure in a _____.

A) vertical form that resembles a tree with the roots at the bottom and the branches at the top
B) horizontal form that resembles a tree with the roots at the left and the branches to the right
C) vertical form that resembles a tree with the roots at the top and the branches at the bottom
D) horizontal form that resembles a tree with the roots at the right and the branches to the left

Question 52

In modular design, _____ also is called looping.

A) sequence
B) selection
C) iteration
D) process description

Question 53

Structured English might look familiar to programming students because it resembles _____, which is used in program design.

A) pseudocode
B) a decision tree
C) iterative code
D) decision code

Question 54

Balancing _____.

A) uses a series of increasingly detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs) to describe an information system
B) ensures that the input and output data flows of the parent data flow diagram (DFD) are maintained on the child data flow diagram (DFD)
C) uses a series of increasingly sketchy data flow diagrams (DFDs) to describe an information system
D) ensures that the input and output data flows of the child data flow diagram (DFD) are maintained on the parent data flow diagram (DFD)

Question 55

The data dictionary usually records and describes a default value, which is the _____.

A) the set of values permitted for the data element
B) identification of the user(s) responsible for changing values for the data element
C) specification for the origination point for the data element's value
D) value for the data element if a value otherwise is not entered for it

Question 56

In a data dictionary, any name other than the standard data element name is called a(n) _____.

A) clone
B) cipher
C) alias
D) alias

Question 57

A _____ is a central storehouse of information about a system's data.​

A) data cube
B) data feed
C) data mart
D) data repository

Question 58

In a data dictionary, a(n) _____ is the smallest piece of data that has meaning within an information system.

A) field
B) index
C) record
D) pixel

Question 59

A data dictionary specifies a data element's _____, which is the set of values permitted for the data element.

A) index
B) domain
C) array
D) record

Question 60

In a data dictionary, _____ refers to whether the data element contains numeric, alphabetic, or character values.

A) pool
B) type
C) valence
D) domain

Question 61

Nathan is an expert on all of the different kinds of process description tools. So, when his colleagues have questions, they know where to turn.
One of the firm's trainee analysts is working on a financial process that will continue to print vendor payments until it reaches the end of the file. Which of the following processes will Nathan suggest the analyst to use?

A) Sequence
B) Selection
C) Concatenation
D) Iteration

Question 62

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
​Documentation of all data flows along with documenting each data element

Question 63

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
Describes how a system will be constructed

Question 64

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
A set of Data flow diagrams (DFDs) that produces a logical model of the system, but the details within those DFDs are documented separately in a data dictionary, which is the second component of this

Question 65

Leveling is also called _____.

A) exploding
B) partitioning
C) decomposing
D) indexing

Question 66

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
An analyst starts with an overall view, which is a context diagram with a single process symbol

Question 67

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
​Shows what the system must do, regardless of how it will be implemented

Question 68

When structured English is used, which of the following rules must be conformed to?​

A) Use only the three building blocks of sequence, selection, and iteration.
B) Use indentation for readability.
C) Use a limited vocabulary.
D) Avoid standard terms used in the data dictionary.

Question 69

The major benefit of _____ is that it gives a clear picture of current system functions before any modifications or improvements are made.

A) the four-model approach
B) balancing
C) leveling
D) the Zachman Framework

Question 70

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
Data flow diagram (DFD) component that represents one or more data items

Question 71

A _____ is a graphical representation of the conditions, actions, and rules found in a decision table.

A) decision board
B) decision tree
C) decision element
D) decision point

Question 72

The disadvantage of the four-model approach is that ____.

A) it gives an unclear picture of the current system functions before any modifications or improvements are made
B) the requirements of a new information system always are different from the current information system
C) additional time and cost are required to develop a logical and physical model of the current system
D) it does not take additional steps to avoid mistakes made earlier in systems development

Question 73

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
Shows how a system transforms input data into useful information

Question 74

The analysts at Techno InfoSystems are considering the four-model approach to system development for a new client.
If they make use of the four-model approach, which of the following is a likely outcome?

A) Time taken to develop the model increases.
B) Costs needed to develop a logical and physical model of the current system will be less.
C) It will not be possible to get a clear picture of the current system functions before modifications are made.
D) The requirements of a new information system will always be different from the current information system.

Question 75

The analysts at Techno InfoSystems are considering the four-model approach to system development for a new client.
Which of the following is a benefit if they use the four-model approach?

A) It will take less time to build a logical and physical model of the current system.
B) It will not incur additional costs to develop logical and physical model of the current system.
C) It will provide a clear picture of current system functions before any modifications or improvements are made.
D) It will provide time to create the current system models even for projects with tight schedules.

Question 76

Matching
​Identify the letter of the choice that best matches the phrase or definition.
a. ​Balancing
b. ​Structured analysis
c. ​Leveling
d. Data flow diagram (DFD)
e. Physical model
f. ​Data dictionary
g. Decision table
h. ​Logical model
i. ​Data flow
j. Record
Ensures that the input and output data flows of the parent DFD are maintained on the child DFD

Question 77

The analysts at Techno InfoSystems are considering the four-model approach to system development for a new client.
Which of the following provides a report of all data flows and data stores that use a particular data element?

A) Data dictionaries
B) Data types
C) Databases
D) Data warehouses

Question 78

The analysts at Techno InfoSystems are considering the four-model approach to system development for a new client.
When data flow diagrams (DFDs) are drawn, which of the following conventions should be followed?

A) Each context diagram must fit on one page.
B) Use the same names within each set of symbols.
C) Do not cross lines.
D) Use a unique reference number for each process symbol.

Question 79

Many analysts follow _____, which means that they develop a physical model of the current system, a logical model of the current system, a logical model of the new system, and a physical model of the new system.

A) a four-model approach
B) a process description
C) the Zachman Framework
D) the Gane and Sarson symbol

Question 80

Nathan is an expert on all of the different kinds of process description tools. So, when his colleagues have questions, they know where to turn.
Another of the firm's analysts is unable to figure out what is wrong with some structured English he has been using to describe the processing logic. Nathan walks over and spots the problem in an instant. Which of the following can Nathan identify as the problem?

A) The structured English is indented.
B) The structured English is not using a sequence, selection, or iteration structure.
C) The structured English uses a limited vocabulary.
D) The structured English is used as a shorthand notation for actual code by programmers.