Part 1: Database Concepts

Imagine that a countryside hotel uses an I.T. system named Innkeepers which supports reserving rooms and booking guests. Innkeepers works as follows. It executes on multiple computers located throughout the hotel and presents a common user interface on all computers. Regardless of the computer it is running on, it connects to same file server to save and retrieve information. The system uses XML files for all data storage. Basic room information such as the room names and locations is located in one XML file. Room reservations for the day are located in an XML file for the day (there is a new XML file created for each new day), and similarly booked guests are located in new XML files created daily.

The staff of the hotel is considering moving to a new system named ElectrInn. It would present a different user interface than Innkeepers, but with all of the same core functionality. Similar to Innkeepers, Electrinn executes across multiple computers; however, a major difference is that every computer would connect to a single database to save and retrieve information, rather than connecting to a single file server to save and retrieve XML files.

Subpart A

The staff has listed out several aspects of the system and would like for you compare and contrast each aspect. Compare and contrast Innkeepers with ElectrInn in regards to the aspects below. Each point should be explained with at least a paragraph or two, more if needed, for a full answer. In your answers, it is not necessary to explain every technical similarity and difference between XML and databases, as that would be voluminous; focus on the significant similarities and differences between the two systems with respect to each aspect.

structural independence.

data redundancy.

system complexity.

Subpart B

Our Coronel, Morris and Rob text describes database systems as having five major components: hardware, software, people, procedures, and data. People will need to interact with the hardware, software, procedures, and data in the countryside hotel. Describe the similarities and differences between Innkeepers and ElectrInn with regards to how people will interact with the other four components

Subpart C

Summarize your findings for subparts A and B by describing the advantages and disadvantages of the countryside hotel switching from Innkeepers to ElectrInn.

Part 2: Converting a Spreadsheet to a Database You might encounter something akin to the table below in a spreadsheet or file-based application.

Make	Model	ID	Miles Driven	Date Driven	Mileage Cost	Driver ID	License Number
Honda	Accord	10	38.5	10/23/2012	$20.60	101	032 592 173
Honda	Accord	10	38.5	1/17/2012	$20.60	101	032 592 173
Jaguar	I-PACE Concept	20	90	3/1/2012	$48.15	119	331 997 012
Jaguar	I-PACE Concept	20	90	2/22/2012	$48.15	237	419 953 551
Jaguar	I-PACE Concept	209	20	3/6/2012	$10.70	119	331 997 012
Porsche	718	30	18	10/23/2012	$9.63	119	331 997 012
Lamborghini	Roadster	40	40	1/17/2012	$21.40	213	945 459 123
Toyota	Camry	50	35	1/17/2012	$18.73	314	123 476 991
Kia	Optima	60	40	1/17/2012	$21.40	101	032 592 173
Kia	Optima	60	40	1/24/2012	$21.40	149	842 248 842

Imagine that you want to convert this to a relational database. Answer the following questions, which are progressively more difficult:

How many records does this file contain?

How many fields are there per record?

What are the field names?

What do the records in this table probably represent?

Is there data redundancy in the table? If so, describe it.

Does this table contain data that is part of different entities? If your answer is yes, identify and briefly describe the entities.

Are there any fields you would add when converting this spreadsheet to a database? If your answer is yes, identify each field then briefly describe the reason why you would choose to add it.

Are there other problems you would you need to address in converting this data to a relational database? If your answer is yes, identify and briefly describe each problem.