What This Document Is
This document consists of a series of practice problems designed to test your understanding of core database design principles. Specifically, it focuses on functional dependencies, normalization, and relational schema development – key concepts covered in an introductory database management course (IS 342 at Western Illinois University). It’s structured as a problem set, likely intended for in-class work or homework, requiring you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is invaluable for students learning about relational database theory. If you're struggling to translate functional dependency diagrams into practical database designs, or if you need to practice identifying anomalies in poorly structured relations, this problem set will be a significant help. It’s particularly useful for preparing for quizzes and exams where you’ll be asked to demonstrate your ability to analyze data requirements and create efficient, normalized database schemas. Working through these problems will solidify your understanding and build confidence.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document presents problems *without* step-by-step solutions. It’s designed to challenge you to think critically and apply the concepts you’ve learned. It assumes you have a foundational understanding of functional dependencies, normal forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF), and database design principles. It does not provide introductory explanations of these concepts; it expects you to *apply* them. Access to course materials and lectures will be essential to successfully work through these exercises.
What This Document Provides
* A variety of scenarios requiring identification of functional dependencies within sample data.
* Exercises focused on determining the normal form of given relations.
* Problems involving the analysis of poorly designed relations and the identification of data anomalies.
* Design challenges requiring the development of relational schemas from textual descriptions of data requirements.
* Practice in creating views based on underlying relational data.
* Scenarios involving multiple entities (e.g., customers, orders, products) to test your ability to model real-world business situations.