DBMS

CAT1

a) Discuss any four shortcomings of the traditional data storage before introduction of computers.
(4 marks)
Bulky storage
Long response time
Labor-intensive
Often incomplete or inaccurate
b) Database Design Process comprises of six fundamental stages. Briefly discuss each.
(12 marks)
1. requirement analysis
2. conceptual database design
3. choice of the DBMS
4. data model mapping
5. physical design
6. implementation Database Design Process
{award 2 marks for each stage well argued}

a) Distinguish between composite attribute and Simple attribute

(2 marks)

Composite attributes have an overall significance (e.g. an address) but can be subdivided into

more basic attributes with independent meaning (city, postal code etc.)
Simple attributes are indivisible (e.g. age)
b) A school has several departments. Each department has a supervisor and at least one employee.
Employees must be assigned to at least one, but possibly more departments. At least one
employee is assigned to a project, but an employee may be on vacation and not be assigned to
any projects. Employees have name & a number which is unique, a supervisor has a name & a
unique number, every project has a unique ID and a Title.
Required:

i.

Draw an appropriate ER Diagram for the scenario. Include cardinality and relationship
dependency.

(10 marks)

{Award 3 marks for cardinality & dependency, 2 marks

a) Briefly discuss the components of the DBMS environment

(5 marks)

{Possible answers}
Hardware; Software; Data; Procedures and People

f)

Differentiate between the following terms

i. Weak entity and Strong entity

(4 marks)

Weak Entity Types

these are entity types which cannot exist in isolation

instances are identified because they belong to specific entities from another entity type, known
as identifying owner
ii. Multi-valued attribute and single valued attribute
single-valued vs multi-valued
most attributes can have only one single value for a particular istance (e.g. a person can
only have one date of birth)

some attributes can have one or more values for the same instance (e.g. a car models colours, a
persons names)