UNIT-I

Short Answer Type Questions

1.List out the drawbacks of traditional file system.

A. Drawbacks of using file systems to store data:

– Data redundancy and inconsistency
• Multiple file formats, duplication of information in different files
– Difficulty in accessing data
• Need to write a new program to carry out each new task
– Data isolation — multiple files and formats
– Integrity problems
• Integrity constraints (e.g. account balance > 0) become “buried” in program
code rather than being stated explicitly
• Hard to add new constraints or change existing ones

2.Discuss about data independence.

A. Data Independence is one of the most important benefits of using a DBMS.

• Applications insulated from how data is structured and stored.

• Data independence refers characteristic of being able to modify the schema at

one level of the database system without altering the schema at the next
higher level.

There are two types of data independence:

• Logical data independence: Protection from changes in logical structure of data.

• Physical data independence: Protection from changes in physical structure of data.

3. Define Database and Database Management System (DBMS).

A. Database: The database is a collection of inter-related data which is used to retrieve,

insert and delete the data efficiently. It is also used to organize the data in the form of a
table, schema, views, and reports, etc.

For example: The college Database organizes the data about the admin, staff, students
and faculty etc.
 DBMS: Database management system is a software which is used to manage the
database. (DBMS provides an interface to perform various operations like database
creation, storing data in it, updating data, creating a table in the database and a lot
more).

For example: MySQL, Oracle, etc are a very popular commercial database which is used
in different applications.

4. List out the applications of Database Management System

A. Database Management System Applications:

– Banking: all transactions
– Airlines: reservations, schedules
– Universities: registration, grades
– Sales: customers, products, purchases
– Online retailers: order tracking, customized recommendations
– Manufacturing: production, inventory, orders, supply chain
– Human resources: employee records, deductions
– Databases touch all aspects of our lives

5. What is data redundancy?

A. Data redundancy is a condition created within a database or data storage technology in

which the same piece of data is held in two separate places.

6. List out different types of databases.

A. There are several types of database management systems. Here is a list of seven
common database management systems:

1. Hierarchical databases
2. Network databases
3. Relational databases
4. Object-oriented databases
5. Graph databases
6. ER model databases
7. Document databases
7.Explain why database design is important?

A. Data is only as useful as its design, also known as structure. A database that is designed
poorly can make simple tasks and queries complicated and unsuccessful which can lead to
the downfall of a business. For this reason database design is important.

8. What are the main components of a database system?

A. DBMS have several components, each performing very significant tasks in the database
management system environment. Below is a list of components within the database and its
environment.

• Software
• Hardware
• Data
• Procedures
• Database Access Language
• Query processor
• Runtime Database Manager
• Data Manager
• Database Engine
• Data dictionary
• Report writer

9. Define the following

a. Entity b. Attribute

A. a. Entity: An entity can be a real-world object, either animate or inanimate,

that can be easily identifiable.

b.Attribute: Entities are represented by means of their properties, called

attributes. All attributes have values.

10. Explain the Query evaluation engine?

A. Query evaluation engine is important part of SQL(structured query language) because all the
queries will be evaluated in SQL with help of Query evaluation engine . It executes low-level
instruction generated by compiler and provides specific output.