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Assignment 01
Date: 12thFeburary, 2024

Outcomes Assessed:
CLO 1: Explain fundamental database concepts.

Regd. No: 22-SE-67 Submitted To: Ma’am Saima Zareen

Name: Muhammad Sohaib Semester: Spring 2024 (4th)
.
Criteria Completeness Originality Individual/ Presentation Timeliness Final
Team Effort Skills/ Score
Writing Skills
Total Marks 10 3 3 2 2 20
Q#1
(CLO-1)

Note: Use the following book to solve assignment 1

Database Systems a Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management sixth edition Thomas
Connolly, Carolyn Begg
Q1. A database approach uses different data models. Common database models include the relational model,
the network model, and the hierarchical model. Which data model should be chosen under which
circumstances and why?
Q2. Study the DreamHome case study presented in Section 11.4 and Appendix A. (a) In what ways would a
DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the database?
What relationship exist between the data items?

OR

Study the Wellmeadows Hospital case study presented in Appendix B.3. In what ways would a DBMS
help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the database? What
relationship exist between the data items?
Q3. What are Structured Analysis techniques, in what scenarios, a specific data requirements analysis can be
applied?
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Question No. 01:

A database approach uses different data models. Common database models include the relational
model, the network model, and the hierarchical model. Which data model should be chosen under
which circumstances and why?

Answer:
The kind of data, the intricacy of the interactions between data entities, the necessity for scalability, and
the requirements of the application are some of the criteria that influence the selection of the best data
model. Below is a summary of potential uses for each data model:

Hierarchical Data Model:

Hierarchical data model is the oldest type of the data model. It was developed by IBM in 1968. It
organizes data in the tree-like structure. Hierarchical model consists of the following:

➢ It has nodes with branches connecting them.

➢ The root node is the highest node.
➢ Root segments are those that occur at the top level and consist of several nodes.
➢ There is only one parent per node.
➢ A parent may have multiple children.

Diagram:
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Network Data Model:

It is the hierarchical data model in its advanced form. Instead of using a tree structure, directed graphs
are used to arrange data. This child may have multiple parents. It makes use of the notion of records
and sets, two types of data structures.

Diagram:

Relational Data Model:

The relational data model was developed by E.F. Codd in 1970. There are no physical links as they are
in the hierarchical data model. Following are the properties of the relational data model:

➢ Data is represented in the form of table only.

➢ It deals only with the data not with the physical structure.
➢ It provides information about metadata.
➢ At the intersection of row and column there will be only one value for the tuple.
➢ It offers a way to manage the queries with ease.
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Structural Diagram:

Difference between Hierarchical, Network and Relational Data Model:

S. Hierarchical Data Model Network Data Relational Data Model

No. Model
Deletion anomaly exists in this
There is no deletion
1. model i.e. it is difficult to delete There is no deletion anomaly.
anomaly.
the parent node.
Update leads to inconsistency Updating a record is easy and
No such problem as
problems because of the existence simple with the process of
2. only one instance of
of multiple instances of a child normalization, the redundant data
records exists.
record. gets removed.
There is partial data
This model lacks data This model provides data
3. independence in this
independence. independence.
model.
No such facility for
No such facility for querying SQL-based declarative querying is
4. querying database is
database is supported. supported.
supported.
It is used to access the
It is used to access the data which It is used to access the data which
5. data which is complex
is complex and asymmetric. is complex and symmetric.
and symmetric.
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Conclusion:
The particulars of the data and the application's requirements determine which data model is best. While
the network and hierarchical models may be more appropriate for situations with complicated
interactions or hierarchical structures that don't easily fit into the relational model, the relational model
is frequently a safe choice for organized data with obvious linkages.

Question No. 02:

Study the DreamHome case study presented in Section 11.4 and Appendix A. (a) In what ways would a
DBMS help this organization? What data can you identify that needs to be represented in the database?
What relationship exist between the data items?

Answer:
A DBMS can provide various benefits to the DreamHome organization:

• Centralized Data Management:

➢ Implementing a DBMS would consolidate all data related to branches, staff, properties for
rent, property owners, clients, leases, and newspaper advertisements. This centralization
would streamline the management of data and ensure its consistency.
• Data Integrity and Security:
➢ By utilizing a DBMS, measures can be taken to ensure the accuracy and protection of data
through the implementation of data integrity rules and security measures.
• Efficient Data Access:
➢ A structured approach to accessing and querying the database is provided by a DBMS,
enabling authorized users to efficiently retrieve the required information.
• Concurrency Control:
➢ With the help of a DBMS, the organization can effectively manage concurrent access to
the database, allowing multiple users to work with the data simultaneously without causing
conflicts or inconsistencies.
• Reduction of Data Redundancy:
➢ The use of a centralized database facilitated by a DBMS helps minimize redundancy in
data storage, resulting in more efficient utilization of storage space and simplified
maintenance.
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The following data items need to be included in the DreamHome database:

• Branches:
➢ Information such as branch number, address, telephone numbers, manager's name, and
manager's performance-related details.
• Staff:
➢ Details about staff members including staff number, name, address, position, salary,
supervisor's name (if applicable), and branch office information.
• Properties for Rent:
➢ Data related to properties available for rent, including property number, address, type,
number of rooms, monthly rent, and property owner details.
• Property Owners:
➢ Owner information such as name, address, contact information, and type of ownership
(private or business).
• Clients:
➢ Information about clients, including their name, contact information, preferred type of
accommodation, and maximum rent.
• Leases:
➢ Details regarding leases such as lease number, client information, property details, rental
information, and lease duration.
• Newspapers:
➢ Information about newspapers such as name, contact information, and advertisement
details.

The relationships between the data items in the DreamHome database are as follows:

➢ Each branch has a one-to-one relationship with its manager.

➢ Staff members have a one-to-many relationship with branches, where each staff member works at
one branch, but a branch can have multiple staff members.
➢ Properties are managed by staff members, indicating a one-to-many relationship between
properties and staff.
➢ Owners have a one-to-many relationship with properties, as an owner can own multiple properties.
➢ Clients have a one-to-many relationship with leases, meaning that a client can have multiple
leases.
➢ Leases have a many-to-one relationship with both clients and properties, as multiple leases can
belong to one client or property.
➢ There is a many-to-many relationship between properties and newspapers. This indicates that a
property can be advertised in multiple newspapers, and a newspaper can contain advertisements
for multiple properties.
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➢ To maintain data integrity and efficient querying, these relationships would need to be adequately
modeled in the database schema.

Question No. 03:

What are Structured Analysis techniques, in what scenarios, a specific data requirements analysis
can be applied?

Structured Analysis:
A development technique called "structured analysis" enables an analyst to rationally understand the
system and its operations.

It is a methodical process that makes use of graphical tools to evaluate and improve the goals of a
current system and create a new, user-friendly system specification.

It has following attributes.

➢ It is graphic which specifies the presentation of application.

➢ It divides the processes so that it gives a clear picture of system flow.
➢ It is logical rather than physical i.e., the elements of system do not depend on vendor or hardware.
➢ It is an approach that works from high-level overviews to lower-level details.

Structured Analysis Tools:

During Structured Analysis, various tools and techniques are used for system development. They are.

➢ Data Flow Diagrams

➢ Data Dictionary
➢ Decision Trees

And many mores………

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Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) or Bubble Chart:

It is a technique developed by Larry Constantine to express the requirements of system in a graphical

form.

➢ It shows the flow of data between various functions of system and specifies how the current system
is implemented.
➢ It is an initial stage of design phase that functionally divides the requirement specifications down
to the lowest level of detail.
➢ Its graphical nature makes it a good communication tool between user and analyst or analyst and
system designer.
➢ It gives an overview of what data a system processes, what transformations are performed, what
data are stored, what results are produced and where they flow.

Basic Elements of DFD

When the user wants a notational language for communication and the needed design is unclear, DFD is
simple to comprehend and extremely effective. To get the most precise and comprehensive answer,
though, a lot of iterations are needed.

The following table shows the symbols used in designing a DFD and their significance:

Symbol Name Symbol Meaning

Square Source or Destination of Data

Arrow Data flow

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Circle Process transforming data flow

Open Rectangle Data Store

Types of DFD

DFDs are of two types: Physical DFD and Logical DFD. The following table lists the points that
differentiate a physical DFD from a logical DFD.

Physical DFD Logical DFD

It is implementation dependent. It It is implementation independent. It
shows which functions are performed. focuses only on the flow of data between
processes.
It provides low level details of It explains events of systems and data
hardware, software, files, and people. required by each event.
It depicts how the current system It shows how business operates; not how
operates and how a system will be the system can be implemented.
implemented.

Context Diagram:

A context diagram helps in understanding the entire system by one DFD which gives the overview of a
system. It starts with mentioning major processes with little details and then goes onto giving more details
of the processes with the top-down approach.

The context diagram of mess management is shown below.

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Data Dictionary

A data dictionary is a structured repository of data elements in the system. It stores the descriptions of
all DFD data elements that is, details and definitions of data flows, data stores, data stored in data stores,
and the processes.

A data dictionary improves the communication between the analyst and the user. It plays a key role in
building a database. Most DBMSs have a data dictionary as a standard feature. For example, refer the
following table.

Sr.No. Data Name Description No. of Characters

1 ISBN ISBN Number 10
2 TITLE title 60
3 SUB Book Subjects 80
4 ANAME Author Name 15

Decision Trees:

Decision trees are a method for defining complex relationships by describing decisions and avoiding the
problems in communication. A decision tree is a diagram that shows alternative actions and conditions
within horizontal tree framework. Thus, it depicts which conditions to consider first, second, and so on.
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Decision trees depict the relationship of each condition and their permissible actions. A square node
writes down an action, and a circle writes down a condition. It forces analysts to consider the sequence
of decisions and names the actual decision that must be made.

Guidelines for Selecting Appropriate Tools:

Use the following guidelines for selecting the rightest tool that would suit your requirements −

➢ Use DFD at high- or low-level analysis for providing good system documentations.
➢ Use data dictionary to simplify the structure for meeting the data requirement of the system.
➢ Use structured English if there are many loops and actions are complex.
➢ Use decision tables when there are a large number of conditions to check, and logic is complex.
➢ Use decision trees when sequencing of conditions is important and if there are few conditions to
be tested.

References:

➢ https://www.transtutors.com/questions/a-database-approach-uses-different-data-models-common-

database-models-include-the-re-6749362.htm

➢ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-hierarchical-network-and-relational-data-model/

➢ https://www.tutorialspoint.com/system_analysis_and_design/system_analysis_and_design_structured.ht