A media company is responsible for managing the publishing of a wide variety of local and international magazines - NSC Information Technology - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 4
A media company is responsible for managing the publishing of a wide variety of local and international magazines. An MS Access database is used to manage the distri... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A media company is responsible for managing the publishing of a wide variety of local and international magazines - NSC Information Technology - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
What is a relational database?
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
A relational database is a database containing multiple tables linked together in a relationship. This structure allows for efficient data organization and retrieval, utilizing primary and foreign keys to maintain relationships among the tables.
Step 2
Name and explain ONE anomaly that can occur in an operational database if the database is not normalised.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
One anomaly that can occur is an 'insertion anomaly.' This happens when certain data cannot be added to the database because other related data is missing or unavailable, making it difficult to enter all necessary information at once.
Step 3
Identify THREE fields in the table tblMagazines that require more suitable data types.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
ReleaseDate: Change to Date/Time to ensure proper date handling.
2. Price: Change to Currency to handle monetary values accurately.
3. eMagazine: Change to Boolean to indicate the true/false status more efficiently.
Step 4
Draw an ERD of tblPublishers and tblMagazines showing the following: The relationship type between the entities.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The ERD would show a one-to-many relationship from tblPublishers to tblMagazines, meaning one publisher can publish many magazines. The action verb can be represented as 'publishes.'
Step 5
Explain what data integrity entails.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Data integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data within a database. It ensures that the data remains correct, valid, and reliable over time, preventing data corruption and maintaining the quality of the information stored.
Step 6
Apart from normalisation, state ONE other way to ensure data integrity in a database.
97%
121 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
One way to ensure data integrity is by implementing validation rules within the database management system. This can include checks for data types, required fields, and acceptable value ranges.
Step 7
State TWO ways in which the company can benefit from the use of a database management system.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Reduces redundancy by centralizing data storage, which prevents duplication.
2. Improves data access speed, allowing for quicker retrieval and modification of information.
Step 8
Suggest ONE way to minimise user input.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Implementing GUI controls or automated input methods like barcode readers can significantly reduce manual user input, leading to fewer errors and increased efficiency.
Step 9
Explain why using a server-based database instead of a desktop database management system would be the better option for a company.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
A server-based database can accommodate larger numbers of users and allow for simultaneous access from different locations, enhancing collaboration and overall productivity.
Step 10
How does data warehousing affect the size of a database?
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Data warehousing tends to increase the size of a database as it allows for the storage of large volumes of historical data, which can slow down performance but provide valuable insights and analysis capabilities.
Step 11
Explain ONE role of a human in data mining.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
A human in data mining plays a crucial role in interpreting the results of data analysis, identifying patterns, and making informed decisions based on the data trends discovered.
