AD-402 Database Management System - Jun 2026 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aWhat do mean by generalization, aggregation and specialization.
   How to answer

   • Define generalization (bottom-up, superclass from subclasses)
   • Define specialization (top-down, subclass from superclass)
   • Define aggregation (whole-part / has-a relationship)
   • Give ER example for each with diagram
2. 7 Marks
   bWhat is Database Administrator (DBA) and also write type of Database Administrator.
   How to answer

   • Define DBA role and responsibilities
   • List types of DBA (system, database architect, application, etc.)
   • Brief functions of each type
   • Importance in security and maintenance
3. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss Relational algebra write basic operation of Relational algebra in DBMS.
   How to answer

   • Define relational algebra as procedural query language
   • List basic operations: select, project, union, set difference, cartesian product, rename
   • Give syntax and example for each
   • Mention additional operations briefly
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain the concept of SQL command with suitable example.
   How to answer

   • Define SQL command categories: DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, DQL
   • Give example commands in each category
   • Show syntax with suitable table example
   • Explain purpose of each with output
5. 7 Marks
   aWhat is multivalued dependency and Fourth Normal Form (4NF) with proper example.
   How to answer

   • Define multivalued dependency $X \twoheadrightarrow Y$
   • Define 4NF condition
   • Give example table violating 4NF
   • Show decomposition into 4NF
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain the technique join optimization techniques with proper example.
   How to answer

   • Define join optimization need
   • Explain techniques: index, join order, cost-based optimization
   • Give example query and plan
   • Mention nested-loop, hash, merge join choice
7. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss the concept of concurrency control in a database system.
   How to answer

   • Define concurrency control and need
   • Explain problems: lost update, dirty read, unrepeatable read
   • List techniques: locking, timestamp, optimistic
   • Give example of concurrent transactions
8. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss the database recovery process and explain how checkpoints and log files help restore the database after system failures or transaction crashes.
   How to answer

   • Define database recovery and failure types
   • Explain log files and checkpoints (WAL)
   • Describe UNDO/REDO recovery steps
   • Explain restore after system/transaction crash
9. 7 Marks
   aWhat is the concept of NoSQL databases and compare their features, advantages, limitations, and applications with traditional Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS).
   How to answer

   • Define NoSQL and its types (document, key-value, column, graph)
   • Compare schema, scalability, consistency vs RDBMS in table
   • List advantages, limitations and applications
   • Give examples: MongoDB, Cassandra vs MySQL
10. 7 Marks
    bWhat is the data dictionary in DBMS ? Explain its type.
    How to answer

    • Define data dictionary / system catalog
    • Explain active vs passive (integrated vs standalone)
    • List contents: metadata, schema, constraints
    • Explain uses for DBA and query optimizer
11. 7 Marks
    aExplain entity, attributes, entity sets, and relationship types with examples and identify primary and foreign keys.
    How to answer

    • Define entity, attribute types, entity set, relationship types
    • Give examples with ER diagram
    • Define primary key and foreign key with example
    • Identify keys in example tables
12. 7 Marks
    bWrite SQL queries using: INNER JOIN , LEFT JOIN
    How to answer

    • Give sample tables for join example
    • Write INNER JOIN query syntax and result
    • Write LEFT JOIN query syntax and result
    • Explain difference in output
13. 7 Marks
    aConsider the relation: STUDENT(SID, Name, Course, Faculty, Faculty Phone) Functional Dependencies: $SID \rightarrow Name, Course$ $Course \rightarrow Faculty$ $Faculty \rightarrow Faculty Phone$ Normalize the relation up to 3NF.
    How to answer

    • Identify key SID and transitive dependencies Course->Faculty->Faculty Phone
    • Decompose to 1NF/2NF tables
    • Remove transitive dependency to get 3NF tables
    • Present final 3NF schema: STUDENT(SID,Name,Course), COURSE(Course,Faculty), FACULTY(Faculty,Faculty Phone)
14. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss the architecture Database management system with proper diagram.
    How to answer

    • Describe 3-level architecture: external, conceptual, internal
    • Explain components: DDL, DML, query processor, storage manager
    • Draw labelled DBMS architecture diagram
    • Explain data flow with users/DBA
15. 7 Marks
    aWhat is Two-Phase Locking (2PL) protocol and write Two-Phase Locking (2PL) protocol .
    How to answer

    • Define 2PL: growing and shrinking phases
    • Explain lock types and rules
    • Describe variants: strict, rigorous 2PL
    • Ensure serializability with example schedule
16. 7 Marks
    bWhat is Boyce codd normal form (BCNF)? Explain with an example.
    How to answer

    • Define BCNF: every determinant is candidate key
    • Differentiate from 3NF with example
    • Give example table violating BCNF
    • Show decomposition to BCNF