Database Concepts - Part 1
1. Basic Database Concepts
Short-Answer Questions:
Q: What is a database?
A: A database is an organized collection of structured information or data, typically stored
electronically in a computer system. It allows for efficient data storage, retrieval, and management.
Q: Explain the term 'Database Management System (DBMS).'
A: A DBMS is software that manages databases, allowing users to create, read, update, and delete
data. It also provides tools for maintaining data integrity, security, and concurrency.
Q: What are the main advantages of using a database?
A: Databases offer organized data storage, minimize redundancy, ensure data consistency, support
data integrity, and improve data accessibility and security.
Long-Answer Questions:
Q: Explain the purpose of a database and its key components.
A: A database organizes data into tables, which consist of fields (columns) and records (rows).
Fields represent attributes, while records are instances of data. Databases ensure efficient data
management and retrieval, allowing users to perform operations like querying and updating data
with accuracy.
Q: Describe a Database Management System (DBMS) and explain how it differs from a traditional
file system.
A: A DBMS is a specialized software that manages databases, offering advanced features like data
integrity, security, concurrency control, and data independence. Unlike traditional file systems,
DBMS reduces data redundancy, enhances data consistency, and allows for better data
management.
2. Database Approach vs. File-Based System
Short-Answer Questions:
Q: What is a file-based system?
A: A file-based system is a method of storing data in flat files without structure or relations. It is less
efficient for data retrieval and management compared to databases.
Q: List any two drawbacks of a file-based system.
A: The file-based system leads to data redundancy and inconsistency. It lacks data integrity and
makes data sharing and updating difficult.
Q: What is the main advantage of the database approach over a file-based system?
A: The database approach reduces redundancy and ensures consistency by organizing data
efficiently, making it easier to retrieve, update, and share.
Long-Answer Questions:
Q: Compare the database approach with a file-based system in terms of data integrity, redundancy,
and scalability.
A: Unlike file-based systems, the database approach minimizes redundancy, maintains data
integrity, and allows scalable data storage. Databases offer relationships between data and ensure
secure, structured access.
Q: Explain the limitations of the file-based system and how the database approach addresses these
issues.
A: File-based systems often face issues like data inconsistency and security risks. The database
approach provides a structured environment with integrity constraints, reducing redundancy and
facilitating complex querying and data sharing.
3. Database Architecture
Short-Answer Questions:
Q: What is database architecture?
A: Database architecture is the design and structure of a database system. It determines how data
is stored, processed, and accessed, usually structured as single-tier, two-tier, or three-tier systems.
Q: Name the three main types of database architectures.
A: The three main database architectures are single-tier, two-tier, and three-tier architectures.
Q: How does a two-tier architecture differ from a three-tier architecture?
A: In a two-tier architecture, the client interacts directly with the server, while in a three-tier
architecture, an application server exists between the client and database, enabling better
scalability.
Long-Answer Questions:
Q: Describe the different types of database architectures: single-tier, two-tier, and three-tier.
A: In a single-tier architecture, the database and application reside on a single system, typically for
local access. Two-tier architecture involves a direct connection between client and server, often
used in small applications. Three-tier architecture adds an application server, improving scalability
and security for larger systems by separating the database, application logic, and client interaction
layers.
Q: Explain three-tier database architecture in detail, focusing on its components and benefits for
large-scale applications.
A: The three-tier architecture consists of a presentation layer (client), application layer (middleware),
and database layer. This separation allows for greater flexibility, load balancing, and security. It is
widely used for large-scale, distributed applications due to its modularity and scalability.
