Database Design Principles: Master Database Design and Normalization

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT considered a data anomaly?

Accepted Answer

None of the mentioned

Answer

Insertion anomaly

Answer

Update anomaly

Answer

Deletion anomaly

Question 2

Identify a benefit of denormalization:

Accepted Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Reduced data redundancy

Answer

Increased data consistency

Answer

Enhanced data integrity

Question 3

Define a composite key:

Accepted Answer

A primary key consisting of multiple attributes

Answer

A foreign key referencing multiple tables

Answer

A unique key identifying each row

Answer

A secondary key used for indexing

Question 4

Which of these characteristics is essential for a well-designed database?

Accepted Answer

All of the mentioned

Answer

Normalization to eliminate data anomalies

Answer

Use of appropriate data types and constraints

Answer

Support for efficient data retrieval and update operations

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a database management system (DBMS)?

Accepted Answer

All of the mentioned

Answer

Creating and managing databases

Answer

Providing a user interface for data access

Answer

Enforcing data integrity and security

Question 6

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Potentially slower performance

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Reduced data duplication

Answer

Increased data flexibility

Question 7

What is a potential disadvantage of normalizing a database?

Accepted Answer

Slower query performance

Answer

Reduced data redundancy

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Increased data flexibility

Question 8

Design a database schema for an online bookstore that efficiently manages customers, orders, and books, ensuring data integrity and scalability. Which of the following options represents the most appropriate design?

Accepted Answer

Separate tables for customers, orders, and books, with one-to-many relationships between customers and orders, and orders and books

Answer

A single table combining all customer, order, and book information

Answer

Separate tables for customers, orders, and books, with many-to-many relationships between all entities

Question 9

Which fundamental principle of database design aims to minimize data redundancy and ensure data integrity?

Accepted Answer

Normalization

Answer

Denormalization

Answer

Data Integrity

Answer

Standardization

Question 10

What is the primary purpose of normalization in database design?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate data anomalies and inconsistencies

Answer

To improve data redundancy

Answer

To enhance database performance

Answer

To increase data accessibility

Question 11

Which scenario exemplifies a denormalized database design?

Accepted Answer

Storing customer information redundantly in multiple tables

Answer

Creating separate tables for distinct order types

Answer

Utilizing views to merge data from various tables

Answer

Enforcing referential integrity constraints

Question 12

What is the key objective of indexing in database design?

Accepted Answer

To optimize data retrieval speed

Answer

To enhance data security

Answer

To minimize data storage space

Answer

To ensure data consistency

Question 13

What is the primary function of data modeling in the context of database design?

Accepted Answer

To define the structure and constraints of the database

Answer

To provide a visual representation of data element relationships

Answer

To automatically generate database code

Answer

To document the database design

Question 14

Explain the distinction between a primary key and a foreign key in database design.

Accepted Answer

A primary key uniquely identifies a row within a table, while a foreign key references a primary key in another table.

Answer

A foreign key uniquely identifies a row within a table, while a primary key references a foreign key in another table.

Answer

Both primary keys and foreign keys uniquely identify rows in tables.

Answer

There is no distinction between a primary key and a foreign key.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of employing constraints in database design?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard data accuracy and validity

Answer

To enhance database performance

Answer

To strengthen data security

Answer

To document the database design

Question 16

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating redundant data

Answer

Creating tables with numerous columns

Answer

Storing data in multiple tables without relationships

Answer

Avoiding the use of primary keys

Question 17

What is a primary purpose of creating database indexes?

Accepted Answer

Accelerating data retrieval

Answer

Enhancing data integrity

Answer

Reducing data redundancy

Answer

Improving data security

Question 18

Which of the following is a common reason to denormalize a database?

Accepted Answer

To enhance performance for frequently accessed data

Answer

To reduce data redundancy

Answer

To simplify data retrieval

Answer

To improve data integrity

Question 19

What is a potential drawback of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Increased database complexity

Answer

Reduced data redundancy

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Improved performance

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of a foreign key in a database?

Accepted Answer

To enforce data integrity

Answer

To establish relationships between tables

Answer

To store additional information about a row

Answer

To create a unique index on a column

Question 21

How does a primary key differ from a unique key?

Accepted Answer

A primary key must be unique, while a unique key can have duplicate values

Answer

A unique key must be unique, while a primary key can have duplicate values

Answer

Both primary keys and unique keys ensure uniqueness of data

Answer

Primary keys are used for internal referencing, while unique keys are used for external referencing

Question 22

Select the most suitable data type for storing a date:

Accepted Answer

DATE

Answer

INTEGER

Answer

VARCHAR

Answer

CHAR

Question 23

What is the primary function of a relational database management system (RDBMS)?

Accepted Answer

To store and manage data in a structured format

Answer

To provide a graphical user interface for data manipulation

Answer

To create and execute SQL queries

Answer

To enforce data integrity and security

Question 24

What is the initial step in the database design process?

Accepted Answer

Gathering requirements

Answer

Creating a conceptual model

Answer

Implementing the database

Answer

Testing the database

Question 25

What is the primary purpose of denormalization?

Accepted Answer

To improve data retrieval performance

Answer

To reduce data redundancy

Answer

To simplify database design

Answer

To enhance data integrity

Question 26

What is the Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)?

Accepted Answer

A normal form that ensures each non-key attribute is functionally dependent on all candidate keys.

Answer

A normal form that ensures each non-key attribute is functionally dependent on the primary key.

Question 27

What is the fundamental objective of database design?

Accepted Answer

To create a database that is efficient, effective, and scalable.

Answer

To minimize data redundancy.

Answer

To maximize data integrity.

Answer

To simplify database administration.

Question 28

Which of the following is a key concept in database denormalization?

Accepted Answer

Introduction of redundant data

Answer

Elimination of duplicate data

Answer

Impaired database performance

Answer

Complication of database queries

Question 29

What is the distinction between a logical data model and a physical data model?

Accepted Answer

Logical model depicts data structures, while physical model depicts data storage

Answer

Physical model depicts data structures, while logical model depicts data storage

Answer

Both represent data structures at different levels of abstraction

Answer

There is no distinction between them

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of database indexing?

Accepted Answer

To enhance the speed of database queries

Answer

To ensure data consistency

Answer

To eliminate duplicate data

Answer

To improve database security

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential drawback of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Increased database complexity

Answer

Reduced data redundancy

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Easier database maintenance

Question 32

What is the main purpose of a foreign key in a relational database?

Accepted Answer

To enforce referential integrity between tables

Answer

To identify the primary key of a related table

Answer

To store additional information about a related row

Answer

To prevent duplicate values in a table

Question 33

What is the first normal form (1NF) in the context of database design?

Accepted Answer

A table where each cell contains only a single value

Answer

A table where each row is unique

Answer

A table where all columns are dependent on the primary key

Answer

A table that has a primary key

Question 34

What is the primary function of a data dictionary in a database management system?

Accepted Answer

To store metadata about the database and its objects

Answer

To manage user access to the database

Answer

To optimize query performance

Answer

To provide a graphical interface for database administration

Question 35

What is the primary responsibility of a database administrator (DBA) in a database management system?

Accepted Answer

Managing database security, performance, and availability

Answer

Developing and maintaining database applications

Answer

Designing and implementing database schemas

Answer

Providing technical support to database users

Question 36

Which of the following is a potential drawback of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Increased data complexity

Answer

Reduced data redundancy

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Increased data access speed

Question 37

What is a potential consequence of data integrity violations in a relational database?

Accepted Answer

Data inconsistency leading to incorrect results

Answer

Improved database performance

Answer

No impact on database functionality

Answer

Increased data storage requirements

Question 38

When is denormalization of a database typically considered?

Accepted Answer

When query performance is critical and data integrity constraints can be relaxed

Answer

When the database is large and complex

Answer

When data integrity is the primary concern

Question 39

What is the fundamental objective of database design?

Accepted Answer

To create a database that fulfills specific business requirements and data management needs

Answer

To maximize query speed

Answer

To minimize storage space

Question 40

Which concept is central to the process of logical database design?

Accepted Answer

Entity-Relationship (E-R) modeling

Answer

Agile Development

Answer

Object-Oriented Analysis

Question 41

Which attribute is a defining characteristic of a well-structured database design?

Accepted Answer

Scalability to accommodate future growth and changes

Answer

Complexity to prevent unauthorized access

Answer

Redundancy to ensure data integrity

Question 42

Which specialized software is commonly used to create visual representations of database designs?

Accepted Answer

Data modeling software

Answer

Presentation software

Answer

Word processing software

Answer

Spreadsheet software

Question 43

What is a primary responsibility of a database designer?

Accepted Answer

Translating business requirements into a logical data model

Answer

Managing database servers

Answer

Writing SQL queries

Question 44

Which of the following is the primary objective of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating data redundancy and ensuring data consistency

Answer

Simplifying data structures and reducing complexity

Answer

Improving query performance and reducing storage requirements

Answer

Enhancing data integrity and accessibility

Question 45

What is the primary purpose of a foreign key constraint?

Accepted Answer

To maintain referential integrity by preventing the creation of orphaned records

Answer

To optimize query performance by reducing the number of table joins

Answer

To enforce data type consistency across different tables

Answer

To ensure the uniqueness of data values within a table

Question 46

When creating entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs), which of the following best practices should be followed?

Accepted Answer

Utilize clear and concise naming conventions for entities and attributes.

Answer

Include every possible attribute in the diagram, regardless of relevance.

Answer

Concentrate on representing the physical database structure in detail.

Answer

Draw the diagram as a highly complex flowchart.

Question 47

What is the primary benefit of using indexes in a database?

Accepted Answer

To enhance query performance by providing direct access to data based on specific criteria.

Answer

To reduce the database size and free up storage space.

Answer

To ensure data integrity and prevent duplicate values.

Question 48

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a relational database management system (RDBMS)?

Accepted Answer

Support for data integrity and the ability to represent complex data relationships.

Answer

Low cost of implementation and maintenance.

Answer

Exceptional performance for handling extremely large datasets.

Answer

Ease of use and accessibility for non-technical users.

Question 49

What is the essential difference between a primary key and a foreign key?

Accepted Answer

A primary key uniquely identifies rows within a table, while a foreign key establishes a relationship with a primary key in another table.

Answer

A primary key is used for data retrieval, while a foreign key is used for data storage.

Question 50

Which of the following is considered a best practice in data modeling?

Accepted Answer

Employing a consistent naming convention across all tables and fields.

Answer

Creating as many tables as possible to avoid data redundancy.

Answer

Using data types that are not supported by the chosen DBMS.