The International Widget Corporation is a small-sized manufacturer and importer of hardware parts (widgets, flanges, thingamabobs, and so forth). In its present manual tracking system, orders received are recorded in a ledger (the "Record of Orders"), with information about the specific items to be delivered.

(a) How efficient would the present format of the data be for storing the orders when the system is automated?

(b) What kind of data structure would be necessary for holding this order data in memory in its present form? Explain the data structure clearly, using diagrams if needed.

(c) Identify at least five (5) problems or issues in the data instances shown. Why would each be a problem for the business users of the data?

(d) If you could reorganize the data to make its structure more effective, what would you change? Why? (Explain each change you would make.)

INTERNATIONAL WIDGET CORPORATION RECORD OF ORDERS (excerpt CUST CUST ORDER CUST ITEM DATE ID NAME STATE ID DESCRIPTION QTY 9046 022899 2001 Acme Mfg. OH 137 Model A Widget 5700 A92 Flange Assembly 225 263 Assembly Manual 1900 9047 030199 0376 Boston Bldrs. MA 421 Model C Widget 027 d Hd. Screw 4000 9049 030199 1198 F&H Builders WT 137 Widget type A. 1200 A93 Type 2 Flange 225 A94 Flange Bracket 200 2710 9050-1 030299 2001 Acme Mfg OH 421 Model C Widget 924 Flange Assembly 100 76F Gasket Clamp 91 76E Left Gasket 131 UNIT SALES PRICE PERSON 4.957 Brooks 109.4 15.95 2.847 Thomas 0.040 5.950 Willis 109.400 6.003 2.847 Smith 109.40 0.31 9.21 Ohio New Engl. South Ohio