UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
DIT205 PRINCIPLES OF DATABASE
DATE: APRIL, 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer QUESTION ONE and any other TWO Questions.
QUESTION ONE
a). Explain any FIVE advantages of database approach. [5 Marks]
b). Outline FIVE factors considered when buying a DBMS. [5 Marks]
c). Outline FOUR importance of data normalization. [4 Marks]
d). Explain the concept of functional dependency as used in normalization. [2 Marks]
e). Describe why ERD is important in database development. [4 Marks]
f). Explain the THREE types of relationships as used in relational database [6 Marks]
g). Outline any FOUR DBMS application software [4 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a). Explain the following terms as used in database systems.
i. Tuple
ii. Repository
iii. File based systems
iv. Data security
[8 Marks]
b). Explain the term data conversion as used in database development. [4 Marks]
c). Outline SIX roles of a database administrator. [6 Marks]
d). Explain the term database design as used in database systems. [2 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a). With the aid of a diagram, explain the THREE Level Architecture of database according to
ANSI SPARC [9 Marks]
b). Distinguish between the foreign key and referential integrity as used in database systems.
[4 Marks]
c). With the aid of examples, explain the term domain as used in relational database systems.
[3 Marks]
d). Outline any FOUR benefits of database views. [4 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a). Explain any FOUR shortcomings of data redundancy. [4 Marks]
b). Differentiate between the terms subtype and super type, giving example in each case.
[6 Marks]
c). Outline any FOUR data types you may use when creating tables in Microsoft Access.
[4 Marks]
d). Explain any FOUR SQL statements you may use when creating tables [4 Marks]
e). Describe the relational database model. [2 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) In a distributed database system concurrency may result in a deadlock, define a deadlock
and identify strategies for deadlock prevention. [6 Marks]
b) Explain what you understand by data normalization stating each of the three normal
forms. [6 Marks]
c) After every transaction with a customer, Kanyango enterprise gives the invoice below to
customers. Normalize the invoice to 3NF and draw a corresponding ERD. [8 Marks]
