Unit 1: Introduction to DBMS and Data Models

1. Explain the disadvantages of a conventional file-based system compared to a Database

Management System (DBMS). What are the advantages of using a DBMS?

2. Define DBMS. Explain the major components of a DBMS with a neat diagram.

3. Differentiate between Data, Information, and Database.

4. Explain the three-schema architecture of DBMS with a suitable diagram. Discuss the
concepts of physical and logical data independence.

5. What is a Data Model? Explain various data models available for database systems (e.g.,
Hierarchical, Network, Relational, Object-Oriented).

6. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Database Administrator (DBA).

7. Define and explain the following terms:

o Database

o Schema and Instance

o Data Redundancy

o Data Abstraction

o Entity, Attribute, Entity Set, Entity Type

o Data Constraint

o File Organization (e.g., Sequential, Indexed Sequential, Direct/Hashed)

Unit 2: Entity-Relationship (ER) Model and Relational Model

1. What do you mean by the ER Model? Explain the components of an ER diagram with
suitable examples (Entities, Attributes, Relationships).

2. Explain the different types of attributes (simple, composite, single-valued, multi-valued,

derived).

3. Discuss the degrees of relationships in the ER model (unary, binary, ternary) with
examples.

4. Explain the concepts of Generalization, Specialization, and Aggregation in the ER model

with suitable examples.

5. How do you transform an ER diagram into relational tables? Explain with an example.

6. Define the relational model. Explain the characteristics of relations, domains, tuples, and
attributes.

7. What are various types of keys in a relational database (Primary Key, Candidate Key, Super
Key, Foreign Key, Alternate Key)? Explain with an example.

8. Explain Referential Integrity and Entity Integrity constraints with examples.

9. Differentiate between intension and extension of a relation.

 10. What is Relational Algebra? Explain the fundamental operations of relational algebra
(Select, Project, Union, Intersection, Set Difference, Cartesian Product, Rename) with
examples.

11. Explain various types of Join operations in Relational Algebra (Natural Join, Equi Join, Theta
Join, Outer Joins - Left, Right, Full).

Unit 3: SQL and Database Design (Normalization)

1. What is SQL? Explain various categories of SQL commands (DDL, DML, DCL, TCL) with
examples.

2. Write SQL queries for a given schema/scenario. (This is a very common and important part,
expect queries involving SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, JOINs, Aggregate Functions,
Subqueries, etc.)

o Example: Given an EMPLOYEE table (E_ID, Name, Salary, Dept_ID, Manager_ID),

DEPARTMENT table (Dept_ID, Dept_Name, Location).

 Fetch the Dept_ID whose average salary is higher than X.

 Fetch the Name of all employees whose Manager_ID is '1'.

 Fetch the name, salary, and Dept_ID of employee getting the second highest
salary.

 Display details of employees working in 'IT' department.

 Perform various types of joins between Employee and Department tables.

3. Explain the concept of Normalization in DBMS. What are its benefits?

4. Define Functional Dependency. Explain trivial and non-trivial functional dependencies.

5. Explain the process of finding the closure of a set of functional dependencies.

6. What are the different Normal Forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF)? Explain each with suitable
examples.

7. Discuss the problems with null values and dangling tuples.

8. What is decomposition in normalization? Explain the properties of good decomposition

(Lossless Join Decomposition and Dependency Preservation).

9. Explain Multi-valued Dependencies (MVD) and Join Dependencies. What is 4NF and 5NF?

10. Explain Indexing in DBMS. Discuss various types of indexing (e.g., Primary, Secondary,
Clustering, B-tree, B+-tree).

11. What are Triggers and Assertions in SQL? Explain with examples.

Unit 4: Transaction Processing, Concurrency Control, and Recovery

1. What is a Transaction? Explain the ACID properties of a transaction with relevant

examples.

2. Discuss the concept of Serializability. Explain conflict serializability and view serializability
with examples.
 3. What is Concurrency Control? Why is it necessary in a multi-user DBMS environment?

4. Explain different Concurrency Control techniques:

o Locking Techniques: Two-Phase Locking (2PL), Strict 2PL, Rigorous 2PL. Explain with
an example.

o Timestamping Protocols: Explain with an example.

o Validation-Based Protocol (Optimistic Concurrency Control).

5. What is Deadlock? When does it occur in a database system? Explain different strategies
for deadlock handling (prevention, detection, recovery).

6. Explain the concept of Recoverability in DBMS. Discuss different types of recoverable

schedules.

7. What is database recovery? Explain log-based recovery techniques (Deferred Database

Modification, Immediate Database Modification) with examples.

8. What are Checkpoints in recovery? How do they help in faster recovery?

Unit 5: Advanced DBMS Concepts (Often related to RDBMS like Oracle/MySQL/PL/SQL)

1. Discuss the architecture of a specific RDBMS (e.g., Oracle/MySQL) including physical files
and memory structures.

2. Explain stored procedures, functions, and packages in PL/SQL or equivalent in other

RDBMS.

3. What is Cursor Management? Explain nested and parameterized cursors.

4. Discuss concepts like Data Dictionary, Dynamic Performance Views, Security (roles,
privileges, profiles) in RDBMS.

5. Short notes on:

o Distributed Databases

o Object-Oriented Databases

o Temporal Databases

o Multimedia Databases

o Data Warehousing and Data Mining (brief introduction)

Important Tips for RGPV DBMS Exam:

 Understand the Concepts: Don't just memorize; try to understand the "why" behind each
concept.

 Practice SQL Queries: SQL is a major part of the practical application. Practice writing queries
for various scenarios.

 Draw Diagrams: For topics like DBMS architecture, ER diagrams, normalization, etc.,
diagrams are crucial and help in scoring marks.
 Solve Previous Year Papers: Although 2024 is the latest, practicing papers from 2023, 2022,
and earlier years will give you a solid understanding of the question patterns and important
topics. RGPV question patterns tend to be consistent.

 Focus on Definitions and Differences: Be clear about definitions of key terms and
differentiate between similar concepts (e.g., DBMS vs. File System, 2PL vs. Timestamping).