Database Assignment

1. Explain the term database.

2. What happens to the database when the “universe of discourse” changes?
3. Why do we need a Database Management System?
4. List and explain the advantages of the database approach over the file system.
5. What is a physical schema?
6. Explain the term logical schema.
7. Describe the SDLC
8. Prototyping
9. What is a Database application?
10. What is a Database System?
11. State and explain the major components of a database component
12. Explain the Self-Describing Nature of a Database System
13. What is a data model??
14 What is data abstraction?
15. What is the function of the following?
I. database administrators
II. Database designers
III. End users
16. Discuss the capabilities that should be provided by a DBMS.
Solution
1. Database is a logically organized collection of related data. For example, consider the
numbers, and addresses of the people you have recorded in an indexed address book, or stored
on a hard drive, using a personal computer and software such as Microsoft Access, or Excel.
This is a collection of related data with an implicit meaning and hence is a database. A database
represents an aspect of the real world. A random assortment of data cannot correctly be
referred to as a database. A database is designed, built, and populated with data for a specific
purpose.

2. A database represents some aspect of the real world, sometimes called the miniworld or the
universe of discourse (DoD). Changes to the miniworld are reflected in the database. The
database is updated to reflect the changes.

3. A database management system (DBMS) is a collection of programs/ software system that is

used to create, maintain, and provide controlled access to user databases. The DBMS facilitates
the processes of defining, constructing, manipulating, and sharing databases among various
users and applications.
Defining a database involves specifying the data types, structures, and constraints for the data
to be stored in the database.
Constructing the database is the process of storing the data itself on some storage medium that
is controlled by the DBMS.
Manipulating a database includes such functions as querying the database to retrieve specific
data, updating the database to reflect changes in the miniworld, and generating reports from
the data.
Sharing a database allows multiple users and programs to access the database concurrently

Logical schema: The representation of a database for a particular data management

technology.
Conceptual schema: A detailed, technology independent specification of the overall structure of
organizational data.
10. The database and DBMS software together a database system.
12. This means that the database system contains not only the database itself but also a
complete definition or description of the database structure and constraints. This definition is
stored in the DBMS catalog/ dictionary. The information stored in the catalog is called meta-
data, and it describes the structure of the primary database

14. Data abstraction generally refers to the suppression of details of data organisation and
storage and highlighting of the essential features for an improved understanding of data. One
of the main characteristics of the database approach is to support data abstraction so that
different users may perceive data at their preferred level of detail.
15. i) In a database environment, the primary resource is the database itself, and the secondary
resource is the DBMS and related software. Administering these resources is the responsibility
of the database administrator (DBA). The DBA is responsible for authorizing access to the
database, for coordinating and monitoring its use, and for acquiring software and hardware
resources as needed.
ii)

There are mainly three levels of data abstraction: Internal Level: Actual PHYSICAL storage
structure and access paths. Conceptual or Logical Level: Structure and constraints for the entire
database. External or View level: Describes various user views

The data in the database at a particular moment in time is called a database state or snapshot.
It is also called the current set of occurrences or instances in the database

Metadata is data about the data.

The database definition or descriptive information about data is stored in the form of
database dictionary called metadata

The description of database is database schema specified during database design and is not
expected to change frequently