Database Management Systems Using PL/SQL
Section A – Very Short Type (3 marks each)
★★★★ None
★★★ None
★★ Define DBMS and list its advantages over traditional file systems.
★★ Define normalization (including first three normal forms in some papers).
★★ Define disk performance factors: seek time (access motion time) and rotational
delay.
★ What is an Entity Relationship (ER) Model? Mention any two components.
★ Define Functional Dependency with an example.
★ Differentiate between Sequential File Organization and Indexed‑Sequential File
Organization.
★ Define a Foreign Key and its role in maintaining relational integrity.
★ What is the difference between Specialization and Generalization in the EER
model?
★ State the differences between Existential Quantifier and Universal Quantifier in
Relational Calculus.
★ What is BCNF? Under what condition does a relation fail to be in BCNF even if in
3NF?
★ Define Rotational Delay and Data Transfer Rate in disk performance.
★ Define the term “Null Value” in the relational data model.
★ List any four built‑in aggregate functions available in SQL.
★ State the purpose of the HAVING clause in SQL and how it differs from WHERE.
★ Describe the primary responsibilities of a Database Administrator (DBA).
★ Distinguish between Entity Integrity and Relational Integrity.
★ Define the fundamental difference between Select (σ) and Project (π) in relational
algebra.
★ Explain what a Schema definition is and how it differs from a physical table in
SQL.
★ What is an Entity in an ER model?
★ Define primary key and foreign key.
★ Define relational algebra.
Section B – Short Answer Type (9 marks each)
★★★★ Explain relational algebra operations (select, project, union, intersection,
difference, join types like natural, theta, outer, division).
★★★★ Explain SQL subqueries (correlated vs non‑correlated), EXISTS/NOT
EXISTS, GROUP BY/HAVING clause, and aggregate functions (SUM, AVG, COUNT,
MAX, MIN).
★★★ Explain the three‑level database architecture (conceptual, logical, physical)
with examples and the role of DBA (in some papers).
★★★ Describe specialization and generalization in the Enhanced Entity
Relationship (EER) model (including attribute inheritance, top‑down/bottom‑up, and
how EER extends ER).
★★★ Explain the normalization process up to Third Normal Form (3NF) using
functional dependencies, converting from 1NF → 2NF → 3NF.
★★ Compare sequential, indexed‑sequential, and direct file organization methods
(advantages, disadvantages, use cases).
★★ Describe the components of the Entity Relationship (ER) model and different
types of relationships with examples.
★ Explain the process of transforming an ER model into a relational model, handling
one‑to‑many and many‑to‑many relationships.
★ What are integrity constraints in the relational data model? Explain entity integrity
and referential integrity with examples.
★ Compare static and dynamic hashing methods for file addressing.
★ Discuss the use of existential (∃) and universal (∀) quantifiers in relational
calculus.
★ Describe the role of functional dependencies in the normalization process and
how they help identify Second Normal Form (2NF).
Section C – Long Answer Type (12.5 marks each)
★★★★★ Explain the normalization process in detail, covering 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF
(and higher normal forms like 4NF in some papers), including functional
dependencies, decomposition, anomaly elimination, with examples.
★★★★★ Explain SQL for relational database implementation: schema/table
definition, DML (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), subqueries
(correlated/non‑correlated), GROUP BY/HAVING, aggregate functions, views
(definition and update restrictions).
★★★★ Explain physical database storage: storage media, disk performance
factors (seek time, rotational delay, data transfer rate), record formats (fixed/variable
length), file organization methods (sequential, indexed‑sequential, direct), and
hashing techniques (static vs dynamic).
★★★ Describe Entity Relationship (ER) and Enhanced ER (EER) model components,
symbols, relationships, specialization, generalization, aggregation, categorization,
with examples.
★★★ Explain the process of transforming a conceptual (ER) model into a relational
model, handling various relationship types (1:1, 1:M, M:N),
specialization/generalization, aggregation, and recursive relationships.
★★★ Explain relational algebra operations in detail, including select, project, union,
intersection, difference, join types (natural, theta, outer), and division, with syntax and
examples.
★★ Explain relational calculus: existential and universal quantifiers, tuple relational
calculus expressions, and comparison with relational algebra (procedural vs
declarative).
★ Explain integrity constraints (entity integrity and referential integrity) combined
with Boyce‑Codd Normal Form (BCNF) and Fourth Normal Form (4NF), including
example of 3NF not in BCNF.
★ Provide a comprehensive note on database architecture and modeling: three‑level
architecture (conceptual, logical, physical), role of DBA, entity and relational integrity,
hashing (static vs dynamic), null values and keys.
★ Compare sequential, indexed‑sequential, and direct file organization methods
(advantages, disadvantages, access speed trade‑offs).
★ Provide an in‑depth analysis of join operations: Natural Join, Theta Join, and Outer
Join (Left, Right, Full) with differences.