Test Questions for Chapter 7
True/False
1. T F File management software represents an early generation of database computing.
2. T F Files contain fields that in turn contain records.
3. T F Indexed files are created to make it easy (physically) to find the particular record you need quickly.
4. T F The relational database model is never preferred to the more efficient network database model.
5. T F Physical link fields are an essential feature of the network database model.
6. T F Ad hoc queries are handled very efficiently and easily in the network database model.
7. T F Automatic teller machines are likely to be based on the relational database model.
8. T F Airline reservation systems are more likely to use the network database model than the relational database model.
9. T F Different commercial database management systems are likely to employ very dissimilar user interfaces.
10. T F Forms are most often used in database management systems for entering data into the database.
11. T F Control breaks are used to temporarily suspend processing in a database management system.
12. T F Query languages are used to enter data into a database system.
13. T F The leading candidate to become a query language standard is Programmed Query Language (PQL).
14. T F Arithmetic operators are typically used to construct multiple-constraint queries.
15. T F A database management system can be configured to communicate via a Web page that serves as an interface for sending and responding to requests for data.
Matching
1. _____ personal profile a. network database model
2. _____ index b. used to generate subtotals in reports
3. _____ logical link c. associated with Web access to
databases
4. _____ physical link d. used to speed lookup time for database
information
5. _____ QBE e. database with a single file
6. _____ flat file database f. basic component of a file
7. _____ data type g. relational database model
8. _____ control break h. can be used to compromise privacy
9. _____ database front end j. query language
10. _____ record k. essential for sorting
m. a user friendly method for entering
data into a database
n. database with multiple files
o. associated with a field
p. used to control spacing of individual
characters in data fields
q. used to trace use of database
Multiple Choice
1. The relational database model
a. is used when we are interested in relating different information.
b. is particularly effective for rapid retrieval of information.
c. employs high-level programmed queries.
d. none of the above.
2. The network database model is
a. preferred when query response time is critical.
b. employs physical links to connect data in different files.
c. is less user friendly than the relational database model.
d. all of the above.
3. Data types are
a. associated with each record in the records of a database.
b. predefined by modern database management systems.
c. interchangeable with translator programs.
d. none of the above.
4. Virtual tables
a. are created to enhance data entry for a database.
b. reflect changes in the values stored in the database.
c. are stored for later retrieval when reports are generated.
d. none of the above.
5. Nested sorting
a. allows data to be extracted for later use.
b. should be applied only to flat file databases.
c. requires multiple sort keys.
d. none of the above.
6. Subtotals are
a. often computed in conjunction with queries.
b. calculated automatically by most modern database systems.
c. computed only when physical links are present in the data.
d. none of the above.
7. Multiple search constraints
a. are never allowed on unsorted data.
b. can produce erroneous results when more than one table is involved.
c. are usually constructed using the logical operators and and or.
d. all of the above.
8. A Web database front-end
a. sends requests to and responses from an intermediary program connected to a backend database.
b. is used to send SQL queries directly to a backend database.
c. stores statistics about the users’ visits to that Web site.
d. all of the above.
9. Logical relationships are
a. not used in generating database reports.
b. ignored when data is entered via database forms.
c. central to the relational database model.
d. none of the above.
10. Database query languages
a. enable the retrieval of the data in a database.
b. provide much of the functionality of modern database management systems.
c. have become increasingly user-friendly.
d. all of the above.
Fill in the Blanks
1. ______store information about some group of related entities; ______contain information about some particular entity.
2. ______are used to speed up information retrieval from database management systems.
3. Each database field has a unique ______associated with it.
4. Unanticipated information retrieval requirements, called ______, are best handled using the ______database model.
5. ______work well when data requirements do not demand multiple related files.
6. Data is usually entered into a database using a ______.
7. The data fields on which we base sorting are called ______.
8. The positions in a report where subtotals and other summary information is provided are called ______.
9. ______manage voice, images, and video in addition to the conventional numerical and text data
10. When multiple sort keys are specified, ______is performed.
(correct choices plus distractors)
ad hoc queries network relational
indexed files flat file databases records
files sort keys multimedia databases
form data type multiple sorting
fields logical sorting mega-databases
report fields control breaks databases
global databases report spacing nested sorting
combined sorting order fields summary points
Short Essay Questions
1. How do the relational and network database models differ?
2. Which of the two database models (relational and network) is preferred? Explain.
3. Explain and compare the database query languages SQL (Structured Query Language) and QBE (Query by Example).
4. What are ad hoc queries? Give some examples to illustrate. How do these impact the choice of a database model?
5. How does database technology affect crime fighting? Give some illustrative examples.
6. How does database technology potentially impact your privacy? Explain briefly
7. What are the advantages of employing database technology with a Web site?
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