CSC 602 – Assignment #3 9/24/08

Chris Grenard

Review Questions
Page 71 - #1
Define each of the following key terms:
a. Information systems architecture (ISA)
An ISA is a planning document for the future of an information system which
consists of six components: data, processes, networks, people, events and points
in time, and reasons for events (business logic).
b. Systems development life cycle (SDLC)
A structured method used to plan, analyze, design, implement, and maintain an
information system.
c. Client/server architecture
A software system where a database is stored on a centralized, networked server
and applications on client desktops access this data over the network.
d. Incremental commitment
A review process where the system being developed is examined to see if it is
meeting its objectives and whether the project should continue based upon the
outcome of this review.
e. Enterprise data model
Reviews and analyzes the current information system(s) and its entities at the
highest possible level.
f. Conceptual data model
A model showing specific entities, attributes, relations, keys and data types for
entities in the organization.
g. Logical data model
The representation of data for a particular type of DBMS.
h. Physical data model
Specifies how data are stored in a computer’s secondary memory by the DBMS.

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #3

Page 72 - #8
Explain the significance of functional decomposition in information systems and database
development
Functional decomposition delves deep into the individual behaviors and entities involved
in an information system. The importance of this step is to identify all functions and
supporting functions a business process will use in the course of program execution.

Page 72 - #10
Name the 5 phases of the traditional SDLC, and explain the purpose and deliverables of
each phase:
Purpose
Planning To identify current business
practice(s) and discover if
improvements or opportunities
are possible.
Analysis To analyze and determine
business requirements for a new
information system.
Design To develop all data, information,
and technology requirements
Implementation Writing code/programs, testing,
training and documentation
Maintenance Monitoring and enhancements of
the operational system
Deliverable
A written report describing the
business needs or opportunities a
new system can help achieve.
This deliverable is a proposal.
Functional specifications that
meet user and business
requirements
Detailed specifications of reports,
screens, forms, program logic,
physical plans and any
organizational changes necessary.
Working applications and
supporting user documentation
Improved data access times, code
optimization, reviews to see if
system is still meeting needs
effectively.

Problem & Exercises

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #3

Page 73 - #9

Explain the differences between an enterprise and a conceptual data model. How many
databases does each represent? What scope of the organization does each address? What
are other salient differences?
The main difference between an enterprise and a conceptual data model are the
level of detail they cover. The enterprise data model is a high-level view of the entities in
the organization as well as a comprehensive review of the current systems and their
functions.
In contrast, the conceptual data model drills down to the level of individual
entities, data types, processes and accompanying business logic. This provides a model
which is used to test the validity of the analysis done in the prior stages of the SDLC.

Page 73 - #16
a. What will be the field size for the PRODUCT_LINE_NAME field in the PRODUCT
table? Why?
It will be 40 characters, as it must match the type and size of the key in the
PRODUCT_LINE table, where it is a foreign-key.
b. In figure 2-15, how is the Product_Id field in the PRODUCT table specified to be
required? Why is it a required attribute?
When creating the PRODUCT table, the Product_ID field was set to be NOT
NULL, so you cannot enter a new product without a Product_Id. It is required because it
is the foreign-key of the PRODUCT_LINE table.

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #3

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #3
Page 73 - #17
a. How is sales-to-date calculated in Figure 2-17?
By multiplying ORDER_QUANTITY * PRODUCT_PRICES and declaring a new
alias for this figure called Sales_To_Date, we can get the total sales to date.
b. How would the query have to change if Helen Jarvis wanted to see the results for all of
the product lines, not just the Home Office product line?
By commenting out or deleting this line in the query:
--AND PRODUCT_LINE_NAME = ‘Home Office’

Page 74 - #20
All Entities? All Attributes? Technology DBMS Record
Independent? Independent? Layouts?
Enterprise N N Y Y N
Conceptual N N Y Y N
Logical N N Y Y N
Physical Y Y N N Y

Chris Grenard CS602 Assignment #3