Q&A Hero

Q: A true data entity will have many possible instances, each with a distinguishing characteristic, as well as one or more other descriptive pieces of data.

Q: Social security number, last name, and first name are examples of entity types.

Q: Use a verb or verb phrase to name an entity.

Q: Since a name represents a set of entities, it is plural on an entity-relationship diagram.

Q: Book, supplier, and state are examples of entity types.

Q: An entity is a person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data.

Q: In order to determine the integrity rules, minimum and maximum cardinality, and time dimensions of data, an analyst might ask, "Are values for data characteristics limited in any way?"

Q: In order to determine security controls and understand who really knows the meaning of data, an analyst might ask, "What natural activities or transactions of the business involve handling data about several objects of the same or different type?"

Q: An analyst would ask, "What must we know about each object in order to run a business?" in order to determine relationships, their cardinality, and degrees.

Q: The top-down approach to data modeling derives a data model by reviewing specific business documents.

Q: A deliverable from conceptual data modeling is a set of entries about data objects to be stored in the project dictionary or repository.

Q: The primary deliverable for the conceptual data-modeling step within the analysis phase is an entity-relationship diagram.

Q: The names of data stores on primitive-level data flow diagrams often correspond to the names of data entities in entity-relationship (E-R) diagrams.

Q: The purpose of the conceptual data model is to show as many rules about the meaning and interrelationships among data as possible.

Q: Processes, rather than data, are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems.

Q: The characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports.

Q: The calculation of a student's grade is represented on a data-flow diagram as a data flow.

Q: Assume your local veterinarian records information about each of his patients on patient medical history forms; the collection of medical history forms is represented on a data-flow diagram as a data store.

Q: Assume shipment data are entered into a logbook once shipments are received at the company's warehouse; the logbook is represented on a data-flow diagram as a sink.

Q: Data on a customer form could be represented on a data-flow diagram as a data flow.

Q: On a data-flow diagram, a check and payment coupon mailed to the company is represented as a data store.

Q: A data flow represents data in motion, moving from one place in the system to another.

Q: Data-flow diagrams evolve from the more general to the more detailed as current and replacement systems are better understood.

Q: Data-flow diagrams (DFD) illustrate important concepts about the movement of data.

Q: A primitive level data-flow diagram is the first deliverable produced during requirements structuring.

Q: Structured analysis techniques, such as data-flow diagramming, can help companies avoid misunderstanding how existing systems will have to work with the new system and incorrect specifications for necessary data, forms, and reports.

Q: Data-flow diagramming is one of several structured analysis techniques used to increase software development productivity.

Q: Logic modeling graphically represents the processes that capture, manipulate, store, and distribute data between a system and its environment and among components within a system.

Q: A data-flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical tool that allows analysts to illustrate the flow of data in an information system.

Q: What is gap analysis? Why is gap analysis useful?

Q: What is meant by DFD completeness? What is meant by DFD consistency?

Q: Briefly discuss how DFDs can be used as analysis tools.

Q: Discuss the guidelines for drawing a DFD.

Q: Briefly describe the data-flow diagramming symbols. Provide one example of each.

Q: The part of a decision table that lists the actions that result for a given set of conditions is called: A) action stubs. B) condition stubs. C) rule section. D) execution stubs. E) processing stubs.

Q: The part of a decision table that links conditions to actions is the section that contains the: A) action statements. B) rules. C) condition statements. D) decision stubs. E) relationship stubs.

Q: Techniques used for modeling system logic include: A) flow charts. B) decision tables. C) data-flow diagrams. D) dialogue charts. E) entity-relationship diagrams.

Q: The process of discovering discrepancies between two or more sets of data-flow diagrams or discrepancies within a single DFD is referred to as: A) requirements structuring. B) logic modeling. C) DFD validation. D) gap analysis. E) DFD stress testing.

Q: The lowest level of decomposition for a data-flow diagram is called the: A) context diagram. B) level-0 diagram. C) level-1 diagram. D) primitive diagram. E) cohesive diagram.

Q: When you believe that you have shown each business form or transaction, computer screen, and report as a single data flow, you have probably reached the: A) level-0 diagrams. B) ternary-level diagrams. C) primitive data-flow diagrams. D) secondary-level diagrams. E) context-level diagrams.

Q: The extent to which information contained on one level of a set of nested data-flow diagrams is also included on other levels refers to: A) DFD consistency. B) DFD completeness. C) DFD gap proofing. D) DFD flexibility. E) DFD cohesion.

Q: Having a level-1 diagram with no level-0 diagram is an example of a: A) violation of completeness. B) violation of consistency. C) balancing error. D) structuring violation. E) cohesion error.

Q: The extent to which all necessary components of a data-flow diagram have been included and fully described defines: A) DFD consistency. B) DFD completeness. C) DFD gap proofing. D) DFD flexibility. E) DFD cohesion.

Q: If your DFD contains data flows that do not lead anywhere, it is not: A) gap proof. B) a primitive diagram. C) complete. D) consistent. E) balanced.

Q: If an input from a source appears on a level-0 diagram, it must: A) appear on the context diagram. B) be connected to a data flow. C) be connected to a sink. D) be connected to a data store. E) be connected to two entities.

Q: If a data flow appears on the context diagram and is also represented on a level-0 diagram, this would be referred to as: A) leveling. B) flow conservation. C) balancing. D) cohesion. E) coupling.

Q: The conservation of inputs and outputs is called: A) decomposition. B) balancing. C) flow conservation. D) data flow structuring. E) gap proofing.

Q: A DFD that is a result of three nested decompositions of a series of subprocesses from a process on a level-0 diagram describes a: A) level-3 diagram. B) level-1 diagram. C) level-2 diagram. D) primitive diagram. E) context diagram.

Q: The lowest level of DFDs are: A) level-0 diagrams. B) context diagrams. C) level-1 diagrams. D) primitive data-flow diagrams. E) systematic diagrams.

Q: The act of going from a single system to several component processes refers to: A) structuring. B) balancing. C) decomposition. D) formatting. E) regeneration.

Q: On a data-flow diagram, you may: A) repeat data stores and processes. B) repeat sources/sinks and processes. C) only repeat processes. D) repeat relationships. E) repeat both data stores and sources/sinks.

Q: Which of the following is a true statement regarding data flows? A) A data flow to a data store means retrieve or use. B) A data flow from a data store means update. C) A data flow may have double-ended arrows. D) A data flow represents data at rest. E) A join in a data flow means that exactly the same data come from any of two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks to a common location.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding data flows? A) A data flow can go directly back to the same process it leaves. B) A fork in a data flow means that exactly the same data go from a common location to two or more different processes, data stores, or sources/sinks. C) A data flow from a data store means retrieve or use. D) A data flow has a noun-phrase label. E) A data flow has only one direction of flow between symbols.

Q: Which of the following is a true statement regarding a data store? A) Data can move directly from one data store to another data store. B) Data stores illustrate relationships among entities. C) A data store has a noun-phrase label. D) Data can move from an outside source to a data store. E) A data store shows data in motion.

Q: A black hole is a process that: A) has only inputs. B) has only outputs. C) has not been exploded to show enough detail. D) has insufficient inputs to produce the associated processes. E) generates output directly to a sink.

Q: A miracle process is one that: A) has only inputs. B) has only outputs. C) cannot be exploded further. D) has insufficient inputs to produce the associated processes. E) is connected directly to a source.

Q: By placing a data store between two processes, this: A) decouples the processes. B) enables store and forward capabilities. C) enhances the flow of data between the processes. D) structures the processes. E) disintegrates the processes.

Q: If two processes are connected by a data flow, they are said to: A) exhibit cohesion. B) share the same data. C) be coupled to each other. D) be strapped to each other. E) be intertwined.

Q: A data-flow diagram that represents a system's major processes, data flows, and data stores at a high level of detail refers to a: A) context diagram. B) level-1 diagram. C) level-0 diagram. D) level-00 diagram. E) logic diagram.

Q: Which of the following is true regarding the context diagram? A) The process symbol is labeled "0." B) The context diagram contains two processes. C) Data stores must be shown on the context diagram. D) The internal workings of the system are shown on the context diagram. E) The context diagram organizes the processes in a tree-like structure.

Q: Which of the following is most likely a source/sink for a manufacturing system? A) A report B) A file C) Payment record D) A bank deposit E) A bank

Q: Which of the following is a true statement regarding sources/sinks? A) Data must originate inside a system from one or more sources. B) The system must produce information to only one sink. C) Sources/sinks are always outside the information system. D) If any processing takes place inside the source/sink, we are very interested in it. E) Sinks and sources are used interchangeably.

Q: On a data-flow diagram, a rectangle with the right vertical line missing represents a: A) data store. B) data flow. C) process. D) source. E) relationship.

Q: On a data-flow diagram, a rectangle represents a source or a(n): A) data store. B) process. C) action stub. D) data flow. E) sink.

Q: A square on a data-flow diagram represents a sink or a: A) data flow. B) data store. C) process. D) predecessor. E) source.

Q: An arrow on a data-flow diagram represents a(n): A) data store. B) data flow. C) process. D) source. E) action sequence.

Q: The origin and/or destination of data, sometimes referred to as external entities defines: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) predecessor.

Q: The work or actions performed on data so that they are transformed, stored, or distributed defines: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) action stub.

Q: The shape of a data-flow (DFD) diagramming process is a(n): A) arrow. B) square. C) rectangle. D) rounded rectangle. E) open box.

Q: A supplier of auto parts to your company would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) relationship.

Q: Recording a customer's payment would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) action stub.

Q: The calculation of an employee's salary would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) data flow. B) source. C) data store. D) process. E) action stub.

Q: A computer-based file containing employee information would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a(n): A) data flow. B) source. C) data store. D) process. E) action stub.

Q: A file folder containing orders would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) source. C) data flow. D) data store. E) relationship.

Q: Data at rest, which may take the form of many different physical representations, best describes a: A) source. B) data store. C) data flow. D) process. E) relationship.

Q: Data in motion, moving from one place in a system to another, best describes a: A) data store. B) process. C) source. D) data flow. E) relationship.

Q: Student data contained on an enrollment form would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) data flow. C) source. D) data store. E) relationship.

Q: Data contained on a customer order form would be represented on a data-flow diagram as a: A) process. B) data flow. C) source. D) sink. E) relationship.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a process modeling deliverable? A) A context data-flow diagram B) Thorough descriptions of each DFD component C) DFDs of the current physical system D) An entity relationship diagram E) DFDs of the new logical system

Q: The diagram that shows the scope of the system, indicating what elements are inside and outside the system, is called a: A) context diagram. B) level-2 diagram. C) referencing diagram. D) representative diagram. E) decomposition diagram.