Database Engineering - Question Bank with Answers
Unit 1: Introduction to Databases
1. List & explain the different types of keys.
- Primary Key: Uniquely identifies a record in a table.
- Candidate Key: A set of attributes that can uniquely identify a record.
- Super Key: A superset of a candidate key.
- Foreign Key: Refers to a primary key in another table.
- Composite Key: A combination of two or more columns used as a key.
2. What is a File-Based System? List out its limitations.
- A file-based system stores data in separate files without a central database.
- Limitations:
- Data redundancy: Same data is stored in multiple places.
- Lack of consistency: No single control over data updates.
- Difficult data retrieval: Searching is inefficient.
- No concurrent access: Multiple users cannot access files simultaneously.
3. Explain the levels of data abstraction and differentiate schema & instance.
- Physical Level: How data is physically stored.
- Logical Level: Structure and relationships of data.
- View Level: Different ways data is viewed by users.
- Schema: Defines the database structure.
- Instance: The actual data present in the database.
4. What is the purpose of a database system?
- Stores, manages, and retrieves data efficiently.
- Eliminates redundancy and maintains data integrity.
5. Functions of a Database Administrator (DBA).
- Database design, security, performance monitoring, backup & recovery.
6. What is Relational Algebra? Discuss its operations.
- A formal system for database queries.
- Operations: Selection, Projection, Union, Cartesian Product, Join.
7. Discuss different types of keys with examples.
- Primary Key: Ensures uniqueness (e.g., Student_ID in Student table).
- Candidate Key: Possible choices for the primary key.
- Super Key: A set including a candidate key.
- Foreign Key: References another table.
Unit 2: Database Design (E-R Model & Normalization)
1. Draw ER Diagrams for Bank, Insurance, and University databases.
- Bank: Customer, Account, Loan.
- Insurance: Policyholder, Agent, Policy.
- University: Student, Course, Professor.
2. Define Normalization & discuss 1NF.
- Normalization: Organizes data to reduce redundancy.
- 1NF (First Normal Form): Removes repeating groups and ensures atomic values.
3. Explain Reduction of ER Diagram to Relational Schema.
- Convert entities into tables.
- Convert relationships using foreign keys.
4. Notations Used in ER Diagrams.
- Rectangle: Entity.
- Oval: Attribute.
- Diamond: Relationship.
- Line: Connection between entities and relationships.
5. Types of Attributes in a Database.
- Simple: Single atomic value.
- Composite: Divided into sub-parts.
- Derived: Computed from another attribute.
- Multivalued: Can have multiple values.
6. Mapping Cardinalities in ER Diagrams.
- One-to-One (1:1): One entity related to one other.
- One-to-Many (1:M): One entity relates to multiple.
- Many-to-Many (M:N): Multiple entities relate to multiple.
7. 2NF, 3NF & BCNF with Examples.
- 2NF: Removes partial dependency.
- 3NF: Removes transitive dependency.
- BCNF: Stronger version of 3NF.
8. What is Anomaly? Explain Insertion, Deletion & Update Anomalies.
- Insertion Anomaly: Cannot insert data without unnecessary fields.
- Deletion Anomaly: Deleting a record removes other important data.
- Update Anomaly: Changing data requires multiple updates.
9. Explain Armstrong's Axioms.
- Rules used to derive functional dependencies.
10. State & Describe Participation Constraints.
- Total Participation: All entities participate in the relationship.
- Partial Participation: Some entities may not participate.
11. What are Functional Dependencies? How do they relate to Normalization?
- A functional dependency shows the relationship between attributes.
- Helps in decomposing tables during normalization.
12. How does Normalization Improve Database Consistency?
- Eliminates redundancy.
- Maintains data integrity and consistency.
