Distributed Databases Question Paper
Distributed Databases
Course:Bachelor Of Science In Information Technology
Institution: Kca University question papers
Exam Year:2009
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2008/2009
THIRD YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT4306: DISTRIBUTED DATABASES
DATE: AUGUST 2009 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
QUESTION ONE
a) Define the following terms
i) Distributed database system [2 Marks]
ii) Distributed database management system [2 Marks]
iii) Distributed database system [2 Marks]
b) Explain the following types of database links
i) Connected User Link [2 Marks]
ii) Fixed User link [2 Marks]
iii) Current User Link [2 Marks]
iv) Shared Database Links [2 Marks]
c) Outline the syntax of naming schema objects in a distributed database [4 Marks]
d) Explain the basic security features that need to be implemented in a database system
[6 Marks]
e) Elaborate on the following types of database users
i) Schema-Dependent Global [3 Marks]
ii) Schema-Independent Global Users [3 Marks]
2
QUESTION TWO
a) Describe the process of database name resolution, using relevant examples under the following
situations
i) When the Global Database Name Is Complete [3 Marks]
ii) When the Global Database Name Is Partial [3 Marks]
iii) When No Global Database Name Is Specified [3 Marks]
b) Elaborate on any three advantages of database distribution [6 Marks]
c) State the three steps carried out in query processing [3 Marks]
d) Explain why a database link is a one-way link [2 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Outline the various options for distributing a database [6 Marks]
b) Outline the following Query Optimization Operations
i) Nested loop [2 Marks]
ii) Sort-merge [2 Marks]
iii) Hash-join [2 Marks]
c) Giving reasons indicating whether the following statements are remote query statement,remote
update statement, distributed query statement, distributed update statement [8 Marks]
i. SELECT * FROM scott.dept@sales.us.americas.acme_auto.com;
ii. UPDATE scott.dept@mktng.us.americas.acme_auto.com
SET loc = ''NEW YORK''
WHERE deptno = 10;
iii. SELECT ename, dname
FROM scott.emp e, scott.dept@sales.us.americas.acme_auto.com d
WHERE e.deptno = d.deptno;
iv. BEGIN
UPDATE scott.dept@sales.us.americas.acme_auto.com
SET loc = ''NEW YORK''
WHERE deptno = 10;
END;
COMMIT
3
QUESTION FOUR
a) Describe the concept of Remote Procedure Calls in the context of distributed databases
[8 Marks]
b) Outline the two main benefits offered by Location transparency [4 Marks]
c) Outline the three steps taken in cost based query optimisation [3 Marks]
d) Explain the main problem with cost based query optimisation [3 Marks]
e) Define the term catalogue as relating to distributed catalogue management [2 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Identify FIVE reasons why allocation of fragments is carried out in a distributed database
[5 Marks]
b) Elaborate on any four features that are exhibited by DDBMS [8 Marks]
c) Distributed databases can be fragmented in many ways. Define the term fragmentation and
explain any three types of fragmentation that can be carried out. [7 Marks]
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