Justin Small

Chapter 1

Database Systems

Justin Small
ITEC 315
Lab 1

Problem Questions

Given the file structure shown in Figure P1.1, answer Problems 1 - 4.

FIGURE P1.1 The File Structure for Problems 1-4

1. How many records does the file contain? How many fields are there per record?

There are seven records. There are five fields per record.

2. What problem would you encounter if you wanted to produce a listing by city? How would you
solve this problem by altering the file structure?

It would be difficult to search by city because the city names are in located in the field with the
address. To remedy this you could create a field for the cities andtake out the city names froom
the addresses. Another solution would be creating 4 different field for the four different parts
of the address: the road address the city, the state, and the zipcode.

3. If you wanted to produce a listing of the file contents by last name, area code, city, state, or zip
code, how would you alter the file structure?

You’d alter the file structure by breaking down the one field into multiples. The
PROJECT_MANAGER field would be turned to two fields with MANAGER_FIRST_NAME
and MANAGER_LAST_NAME. It would work the same with the address field splilting it into
four separate fields.

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4. What data redundancies do you detect? How could those redundancies lead to anomalies?

The records with Holly B. Parker and George F. Dorts have data redundancies. They repeat
both of those records field with perosnal data—their names, their phone numbers, and their
addresses. These could lead to animalies by having the same data in many places but with
differing versions. This ultimately causes inaccuracies and errors. Some problems that could
occcur with this setup would be someone changing their name after a marriage or a new phone
number or address.

5. Identify and discuss the serious data redundancy problems exhibited by the file structure shown in
Figure P1.5.

The numbers in the PROJ_NUM field are repeated. The names in the PROJ_NAME field are also
repeated. John, David and Anne’s names are repeated in the EMP_NAME field. The EE and CT
job codes are repeated. Some phone numbers are also repeated.

FIGURE P1.5 The File Structure for Problems 5-8

6. Looking at the EMP_NAME and EMP_PHONE contents in Figure P1.5, what change(s) would
you recommend?

One could break up the Name field into two field afor the first and last names. You could also
change the Phone field into two fields one for the area code and another for the rest of the
phone number.

7. Identify the various data sources in the file you examined in Problem 5.

The data sources for the name, phone number, and job code come from the employees
themselves being unique identifiers. The project name and number are derived from the
project itself. Job hours and project hours come from the employees working and are subject
to change.

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8. Given your answer to Problem 7, what new files should you create to help eliminate the data
redundancies found in the file shown in Figure P1.5?

I would create three new files. One for the unique employee infromation that for the most part
won’t change. I’d create another exclusively for the projects information including its name
and number. The last file would be for the hours worked with JOB_CHG_HOUR and
PROJ_HOURS.

9. Identify and discuss the serious data redundancy problems exhibited by the file structure shown in
Figure P1.9. (The file is meant to be used as a teacher class assignment schedule. One of the many
problems with data redundancy is the likely occurrence of data inconsistencies – that two different
initials have been entered for the teacher named Maria Cordoza.)

There is a blank spot in the fifth record. Some name, rooms, building codes are repeated. Cordoza
has two different initials. There is a time conflict between the second and the eigth record.

FIGURE P1.9 The File Structure for Problems 9-10

10. Given the file structure shown in Figure P1.9, what problem(s) might you encounter if building
KOM were deleted?

If KOM is deleted them you lose information on three of the courses and one of the teacher’s
(Hawkins) entire record would be gone. You wouldn’t know which room for what building a
class is.