UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2012/2013
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 1207A DATABASE SYSTEMS PRINCIPLES
DATE: AUGUST 2013
TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)
a) Define the following database system concepts;
i) Tuple (2 Marks)
ii) Distributed database
iii) Conceptual modeling
(2 Marks)
(2 Marks)
b) Discuss three approaches for modeling data
c) List the types of relationships that can be used to link relations
d) Identify four roles of the database administrator
e) Below is a list of potential entities for a hotel database;
– Customer
– Meal
– Service
(6 Marks)
(3 Marks)
(4 Marks)
Identify at least three attributes for each of these entities (including primary and/or foreign
keys) and draw an entity-relationship diagram illustrating these entities
QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)
a) Describe each of the following levels of data normalization;
(11 Marks)
b)
i) First Normal Form
ii) Second Normal Form
iii) Third Normal Form
State four advantages of normalization
(2 Marks)
(2 Marks)
(2 Marks)
(4 Marks)
c) Define the term “data dictionary” and identify four contents of a data dictionary (6 Marks)
d) Describe how one would remove a field called “NoOfRepairJobs” from a table called
MECHANIC” (4 Marks)
QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)
a) Define the following terms with reference to distributed database systems;
i) Fragmentation
ii) Replication
(2 Marks)
(2 Marks)
b) Identify the problems an organization may incur as a result of using a distributed database system
(6 Marks)
c) Define the term “DBMS” and list any DBMS applications you know
d) List any four factors you may consider when choosing the appropriate DBMS
QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)
(6 Marks)
(4 Marks)
The table below stores information relating to a concert session. Study it and answer the questions that
follow;
a) State the result of repeating the PerformerID “P002” for the sixth record
b) Write SQL statements to perform the following;
(2 Marks)
i) Create the above table with appropriate data types (3 Marks)
ii) List the names of all Cello performers
iii) List the instrument being played by Matthews
iv) List performances that will be made on the 8thof April
(3 Marks)
(3 Marks)
(3 Marks)
c) Discuss three types of interfaces that are offered by a standard DBMS
QUESTION FIVE (20 MARKS)
a) i) Define the term “data integrity”
ii) Identify two principle integrity rules applied to a foreign key
(6 Marks)
(2 Marks)
(2 Marks)
b) Highlight two ways of enforcing security on a database
c) Discuss the steps involved in the database development lifecycle
(4 Marks)
(12 Marks)
