AL-502 Database Management System - Jun 2025 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 is Schema? Explain Overall Database Structure with suitable example.
   How to answer

   • Define schema as logical structure / blueprint of database including tables, attributes, constraints.
   • Explain three levels of overall structure: physical, logical, view level with architecture diagram.
   • Describe components: storage manager, query processor, users.
   • Give suitable example e.g., university schema with Student, Course tables.
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain about Various Data Models.
   How to answer

   • Define data model as collection of concepts to describe data, relationships and constraints.
   • Explain hierarchical, network, entity-relationship and relational models.
   • Explain object-oriented / object-relational model briefly.
   • Compare with examples and diagram for each.
3. 7 Marks
   aExplain the following with examples.

   1. i)DDL
   2. ii)Embedded SQL
   How to answer

   • Define DDL as Data Definition Language for defining schema with CREATE, ALTER, DROP.
   • Give example statements for creating table.
   • Define embedded SQL as SQL statements embedded in host language with precompiler.
   • Give example of embedded SQL with EXEC SQL and host variables.
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain about Outer join Operation in Relational algebra.
   How to answer

   • Define outer join to retain non-matching tuples with NULLs.
   • Explain left outer join, right outer join and full outer join with symbols.
   • Give example relations and result tables.
   • Contrast with inner join.
5. 7 Marks
   aWhat is Relational Model? Distinguish between Super Key, Candidate Key, Primary Key for a relation with examples.
   How to answer

   • Define relational model: data as tables, tuples, attributes, domains.
   • Define super key, candidate key, primary key with distinctions.
   • Give example relation e.g., Student(RollNo, Name, Email).
   • Explain selection of primary key from candidate keys.
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain about Domain relational calculus with examples.
   How to answer

   • Define domain relational calculus as non-procedural query language using domain variables.
   • Give syntax: { <x1,x2,...> | P(x1,x2,...)}.
   • Give examples for select, project, join queries.
   • Contrast briefly with tuple relational calculus.
7. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss the importance of integrity and referential integrity constraints.
   How to answer

   • Define integrity constraints and referential integrity via foreign keys.
   • Explain entity integrity, referential integrity with examples.
   • Discuss importance: consistency, correctness, preventing orphans.
   • Explain cascade, restrict actions on violation.
8. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the Conditions are required for a relation to be in 3NF explain with examples?
   How to answer

   • State 3NF conditions: in 2NF and no transitive dependency of non-prime on key.
   • Explain 1NF, 2NF prerequisites briefly.
   • Give example violating 3NF and decomposition to 3NF.
   • Mention lossless join and dependency preservation.
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain fundamental Operations in relational algebra with examples.
   How to answer

   • List fundamental operations: select, project, union, set difference, cartesian product, rename.
   • Give symbolic notation and purpose of each.
   • Give example relations and query results.
   • Mention additional operations briefly.
10. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss in detail about timestamp based Concurrency Control techniques.
    How to answer

    • Define timestamp ordering for serializability with W-timestamp and R-timestamp.
    • Explain Thomas write rule and validation steps for read/write.
    • Discuss handling of rollback, deadlock-free property.
    • Give example schedule and advantages/disadvantages.
11. 7 Marks
    aWhat is locking protocol? Describe the Strict Two-Phase locking Protocol.
    How to answer

    • Define locking protocol to ensure serializability via shared/exclusive locks.
    • Explain strict 2PL: growing/shrinking phases, holds exclusive locks till commit.
    • Explain how it prevents cascading rollback and ensures strict schedules.
    • Give example with lock-unlock sequence.
12. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss about Comparative study of OODBMS Vs DBMS.
    How to answer

    • Define OODBMS vs RDBMS/DBMS concepts.
    • Compare on data model, query language, relationships, performance.
    • Give table of differences with examples.
    • Mention applications suitable for each.
13. 7 Marks
    aExplain Hierarchical queries and inline queries with suitable examples.
    How to answer

    • Define hierarchical query using CONNECT BY, START WITH for tree data.
    • Define inline query / inline view as subquery in FROM clause.
    • Give SQL examples for employee-manager hierarchy and inline view.
    • Mention use cases and output.
14. 7 Marks
    bWhat is a Cursor? Explain nested and Parameterized cursors?
    How to answer

    • Define cursor as pointer to result set for row-by-row processing.
    • Explain implicit vs explicit cursors lifecycle: DECLARE, OPEN, FETCH, CLOSE.
    • Explain nested cursors and parameterized cursors with SQL/PLSQL example.
    • Mention advantages and use cases.
15. 14 Marks
    Write short notes on any two:

    1. a)DML
    2. b)Multimedia
    3. c)Triggers
    4. d)Stored Procedures
    How to answer

    • Select any two topics from DML, Multimedia, Triggers, Stored Procedures.
    • For each: give definition, syntax/types and key features.
    • Give suitable example e.g., DML statements, trigger syntax.
    • Mention uses in DBMS.