IAN FRANCIS 01602203

COMP3160 – DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DISCUSSION SET# 1

COMP3160

1. Describe the basic features of the relational data model, and discuss their
importance to the end user and the designer.

The basic features of the Relational Data Model are its program data
independence , this relates to the ability of changes to be made to the database
such as addition of attributes or method of accessing records without
necessitating modification and recompilation of all programs that access the
database.
Structural data independence is also a basic feature of the Relational Data
Model. This means you can query the database without navigating the structure
of the database which would be necessary in the tree like structure of its
predecessor the Hierarchical model.
The basic structure of the model is the table which is conceptually simple
making it easy to use by end users and designers while the Hierarchical Data
model is not as flexible and is best for queries that are structured and known at
design time.

3. Briefly explain three (often conflicting) database requirements that must be

addressed in database design?

“Designers must make design compromises that are triggered by conflicting

goals such as adherence to design standards (design elegance) , processing
speed and information requirements.”

Design standards help us to develop structures that minimize data redundancies,

thereby minimizing the likelihood of data inconsistencies.

High processing speeds are given top priority in some organization. High
processing speed also requires the minimization of access time which is usually
achieved by minimizing the number and complexity of logically desirable
relationships, which can lead to conflict with design standards.
Timely information might be the focus of data design in other organizations.
Complex information requirement s may dictate data transformations, and they
may expand the number of entities and attributes. (resulting in reduced
transaction speeds)
Hence to ensure maximum information generation , we sometime have to
sacrifice high processing speeds.

2. Discuss the difference between transaction database and data warehouse

databases.

A Transactional database is intended for day to day transaction which places

emphasis on timely and accurate recording of those transactions while Data
warehouse database’ emphasis is on generating complex queries to assist the
organization with its strategic planning decisions. The type of queries carried
out on a transactional database are more structured whereas the queries carried
out on Data warehousing databases are complex and not structured at all.