Page 234 - Using MIS

202 Chapter 5 Database Processing

Figure 5-37
Piano Sound Quality by Building

5-12. Examine the columns in Figure 5-34. Name three char- 5-14. Using the data in Figure 5-37, draw conclusions about
acteristics of pianos that are not represented in this table. the effect of location on piano sound quality. Justify
a. If you were a consultant advising Dean, what crite- your statements using this data.
ria should you and he use in deciding whether to 5-15. Explain the statement “A database is an abstraction of
include that additional data? some aspect of a business.” Using this example, explain
b. Is this database a model of an inventory of pianos, the ways that processing an abstraction is more effec-
or is it a model of Dean’s model of an inventory of tive than examining pianos. Explain the ways that pro-
pianos? Explain the difference.
cessing an abstraction is more efficient that examining
5-13. Suppose, in addition to the data about pianos, Dean pianos. Generalize your observation to databases for
wants to store data about the manufacturer such as its business in general.
address (or last known address), its years of operation,
and general comments about that manufacturer. 5-16. This database will soon become useless if it is not kept
a. Design a Manufacturer table. up to date. List procedures that Dean needs to create
b. Alter the design of the Piano table (Figure 5-34) and follow to keep his database current.
to represent the relationship between Piano and
Manufacturer. State and justify any assumptions.