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Informatics 2A Exam Paper 2022

The document is an exam paper for the Informatics 2A module at the Academy of Computer Science & Software Engineering, detailing instructions, assessment criteria, and various questions related to data management and database design. It includes tasks such as creating an Extended Entity Relationship model, discussing data quality, and normalizing a given invoice table. The exam is structured into five questions, covering theoretical and practical aspects of informatics.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
20 views4 pages

Informatics 2A Exam Paper 2022

The document is an exam paper for the Informatics 2A module at the Academy of Computer Science & Software Engineering, detailing instructions, assessment criteria, and various questions related to data management and database design. It includes tasks such as creating an Extended Entity Relationship model, discussing data quality, and normalizing a given invoice table. The exam is structured into five questions, covering theoretical and practical aspects of informatics.

Uploaded by

u25476816
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

ACADEMY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

MODULE IFM2A10/IFM02A2
INFORMATICS 2A

CAMPUS APK

EXAM

ASSESSORS M COETZEE
HJC VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

INTERNAL MODERATOR D COTTERRELL

DURATION 120 minutes MARKS 100

PLEASE TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Answer ALL questions in the ANSWER SHEET supplied.


2. Do NOT write in pencil. Anything in pencil WILL NOT BE MARKED.
3. Write neatly and legibly.
4. Answers must pertain to the material covered during the course of the
module.
5. NO calculators may be used.
6. This question paper consists of 4 (including this cover page) pages.
7. This question paper consists of 5 question sections.
IFM2A10/IFM02A2 – Exam – 2022

Question 1
Temporary Employment (TE) is a company that places temporary workers in companies.
TE’s manager gives you the following description of the business:

TE has a file of candidates who are willing to work. The last name and first name of the
candidate are recorded. If the candidate has worked before, that candidate has a specific
job history. (Naturally, no job history exists if the candidate has never worked.) Each time
the candidate is placed with a company, one additional job history record is created. The
start date and end date of employment with the company are recorded.

Each candidate has earned several qualifications and each qualification may be earned by
more than one candidate. (For example, it is possible for more than one candidate to have
earned a BSc degree or a Microsoft Network Certification. And clearly, a candidate may
have earned both a BSc degree and a Microsoft Network Certification.) The date when the
qualification was earned is recorded. A qualification has a code and a description.

TE offers courses to help candidates improve their qualifications. Courses are taught that
belong to one specific qualification. Some qualifications have multiple courses that develop
that qualification. A course has a description and a fee.

Some courses cover advanced topics that require specific qualifications as prerequisites. A
course can have several prerequisites and a qualification can be a prerequisite for more
than one course.

Courses are taught during training sessions. A session has a start date and a fee.
Candidates enroll to attend a training session. A training session can accommodate several
candidates. The date of enrolment and the fee paid is recorded.

1.1 Draw an Extended Entity Relationship model to model the storage of the [20]
information provided above.

2
IFM2A10/IFM02A2 – Exam – 2022

Question 2
2.1 Data Quality can be examined at several different levels including
completeness and timeliness. Briefly explain how completeness and timeliness [2]
can affect the quality of data.
2.2 In 1985, Dr E.F. Codd published a list of 12 rules to define a relational database [4]
system. The reason for these rules was the concern that many vendors were
marketing products as “relational” even though those products did not meet
minimum relational standards. Name and briefly describe two of Codd’s twelve
relational database rules.
2.3 What is a business rule? [2]
2.4 Provide one (1) example of a business rule from the scenario in Question 1. [1]
2.5 Define data governance and describe why it is important. [2]
2.6 List two different notations that are used for ERD diagrams. Use an example [4]
from Question 1 to illustrate each notation.
[15]

Question 3
3.1 Briefly describe the Conceptual Design Stage. (5)
3.2 Briefly describe the Logical Design Stage. (5)
3.3 Briefly describe the Physical Design Stage. (5)
[15]

Question 4
INVOICE TABLE

Invoice-No Invoice-Date Product-No Product-Name Product-Price Quantity


12345 22/04/2017 1023 Soft Chair R2000 3
1022 Hard Chair R1000 12
1087 Desk R5000 3
12346 20/04/2017 1023 Soft Chair R2000 5
12348 19/04/2017 1987 Large Chest R3000 4
23144 19/04/2017 6548 Coffee Table R500 3
12387 10/04/2017 6547 Tea Table R200 2

3
IFM2A10/IFM02A2 – Exam – 2022

4.1 Identify the normal for of the given table. Motivate your answer. (2)
4.2 List all the steps required to convert from first normal form to third normal form. (8)
4.3 Provide the first normal form for the given table. (3)
4.4 Provide the second normal form for the given table. (9)
4.5 Provide the third normal form for the given table. (3)
[25]

Question 5

5.1 List the number of classes each student is registered for. (5)
5.2 List the number of students each lecturer is presenting to. (7)
5.3 What is the average number of students in each class? (3)
5.4 List all the students born after 01/01/2000 (4)
5.5 List all the students that are registered for both “Informatics2A” AND (6)
“ComputerScience2A”.
[25]

TOTAL 100
END

Common questions

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Incomplete dataset records can severely affect decision-making by providing an inaccurate view of available resources and hindering strategic planning. For instance, if a temporary employment agency has incomplete records of candidate qualifications or job histories, it could result in unsuitable job placements, affecting client satisfaction and agency reputation. This could lead to inefficiencies and financial losses due to mismatched skill placements.

One of Codd's rules is the 'Information Rule', which states that all data should be stored in tables, with each column representing an attribute and each row representing a data item. This is fundamental for ensuring that data can be managed and queried efficiently. Another rule is the 'Guaranteed Access Rule', which ensures that each data item can be accessed without ambiguity by a combination of table name, primary key value, and column name, thus providing clear and consistent data access. These rules are important as they establish a framework for maintaining integrity and consistency within a relational database.

Two common notations for ERD diagrams are Crow's Foot and Chen's notation. Crow's Foot notation uses lines and symbols to represent cardinality and relationship types between entities, e.g., a one-to-many relationship between candidates and qualifications shown with a line ending in a crow's foot. Chen's notation uses ovals for attributes and diamonds for relationships, connecting to rectangular entity blocks, e.g., a diamond labeled 'earns' connecting candidate and qualification entities. Both notations help visualize data relationships in a system.

A business rule is a statement that defines or constrains some aspect of a business, aiming to assert business structure or control business behavior. In the Temporary Employment scenario, a business rule could be that a candidate must be enrolled in a course before attending a training session, ensuring that enrollment is completed prior to participation.

The Conceptual Design Stage involves developing a high-level model of the data and resources relevant to a system. It focuses on identifying relationships between different entities and the attributes that define them, independent of any database management system. This stage aims to provide a clear picture of the system's scope and requirements without concern for implementation details.

Timeliness affects data quality by determining the currency and relevance of data in databases. Timely data ensures that decisions are based on the most current and accurate information, which is crucial for operational efficiency. If data on candidate placements or job histories are outdated, it could lead to mismatches in job assignments or missed opportunities, impacting business operations and client satisfaction negatively.

Data governance is crucial because it establishes policies and procedures to manage data availability, usability, integrity, and security. This ensures that the data within a system is reliable, compliant with regulations, and supports business objectives. In the context of Temporary Employment, effective data governance would ensure accurate candidate records and job matches, maintaining operational efficiency and client trust.

Completeness impacts data quality by ensuring that all necessary data is fully captured and available in a database system. Incomplete data can lead to poor decision-making due to missing critical information, thus reducing the reliability of datasets. For example, if candidate qualifications are not fully recorded, it might hinder the matching process between candidates and job openings. Completeness ensures comprehensive data availability, thereby improving the quality of analysis.

Converting to Third Normal Form (3NF) involves: 1) Ensuring the table is in First Normal Form by eliminating repeating groups in rows. 2) Achieving Second Normal Form by removing partial dependencies where non-prime attributes depend on only part of the primary key, creating separate tables linked by foreign keys. 3) Achieving Third Normal Form by eliminating transitive dependencies, ensuring non-prime attributes depend only on the primary key. For the invoice table, split the table into separate tables for product details and sales records, ensuring independent attributes are in suitable tables.

Prerequisites play a critical role in ensuring that candidates possess the necessary foundational knowledge before enrolling in advanced courses within the Temporary Employment training program. This structure maintains the quality and effectiveness of the training by preparing candidates thoroughly, enhancing their qualifications. Prerequisites also help in managing course content progression efficiently, ensuring all candidates can engage meaningfully with the material.

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