Tutorial Questions

Question 2.1 In the beginning, file system was used to handle the database. In this system each application defines and defined and maintained its own data and thus data was not independent of these applications. But now database management systems (DBMS) are used to manage the databases. These systems keeps the data independent of applications and each application can access the data through the same interface of database management systems. Application programs are immune to changes in logical or physical organization of data and vice versa. Data can be defined at two levels, either logically or physically. Logical data independence refers to the immunity of application programs to the logical structure of database. For example if we add more attributes to a relation in database, the data access methods used by application should not be affected. Physical data independence says that the application programs should not be concerned with the physical data organization. Therefore the application programs should not need to be modified when physical data organization is changed. Question 2.2 External The users view of the database. This level describes that part of the database that is relevant to each user. Conceptual The community view of the database. This level describes what data is stored in the database and the relationships among the data. Internal The physical representation of the database on the computer. This level describes how the data is stored in the database. Question 2.5 Types of facility that would be expected to be provided in a multi user DBMS are: Data storage, retrieval, and update A user accessible catalog Transaction support ensure either that all the updates corresponding to a given transaction are made or that none of them is made. Concurrency control services ensure that the database is update correctly when multiple users are updating the database concurrently. Recovery services recovering the database in the event that the database is damaged. Authorisation services ensure that only authorised users can access the database. Support for data communication capable of integrating with communication software. Integrity services ensure that both the data in the database and changes to the data follow certain rules.

Services to promote data independence Utility services

Question 2.6 I think that the following facilities arent needed on a PC DBMS: Concurrency control services you dont need multiple users updating the database on a standalone PC. Dont think there is a need to share. Authorisation services on a standalone PC, I dont think there is need for the security on the database except for profile security. Services to promote data independence

Question 3.1 Client-server architecture refers to the way in which software components react. There is a client process that requires some resource, and the server that provides the resource. Client-server architecture is different to a web service as it is a software system designed to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network. Another comparison is a DDBMS (Distributed DBMS) that is the software system that permits the management of the distributed database and makes the distribution transparent to users.

List 6 attributes, data types and common values for a motor vehicle e.g. Attribute Data type Maximum Common values Size/dimension 20 20 Toyota, Holden Corolla, Nivara 1994, 2004 78,000 Automatic, Manual Black, White

1. Vehicle make Text 2. Vehicle model Text 3. Year 4. Kilometres

Number 40 Number 20 20 20

5. Transmission Text 6. Colour Text

Which one of these attributes would uniquely identify every instance of a motor vehicle? A unique identifying attribute (or combination of attributes) is a key. If you don't have a key amongst your chosen attributes add an extra attribute which can be used as a key.
We would have to insert a vehicle ID attribute as a unique identifier.