Practice A. Databases with authentic IB Computer Science (CS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
SolarVision is a renewable energy company that maintains a data warehouse with data on solar panel installations, climate data, and energy output across different regions. They are using this data to optimize energy production and distribution. SolarVision is interested in using data mining to understand regional energy demands and improve distribution.
(a) (i) Outline one benefit of using a data warehouse for SolarVision’s data.
(a) (ii) Explain why real-time data updates in a data warehouse could be beneficial for SolarVision.
(b) Describe two challenges SolarVision may face when integrating regional data sources into a centralized data warehouse.
(c) Compare data matching and data mining as techniques that SolarVision could use to understand and improve regional energy distribution.
A school maintains a database of students' details and teaching resources on a central server. This data can be accessed by all teachers in the school.
Teachers may need to edit resources when preparing their lessons.
When storing student details, data security is an important consideration.
The school has appointed a database administrator (DBA).
A DBA is required to carry out tasks such as ensuring there is a strategy to recover the database if it becomes corrupted and that the data is shared ethically.
Suggest how the privacy of student data can be ensured.
Explain how concurrent use of the school database is possible in this situation.
Describe two ways that data security in the school's database can be maintained.
Describe one strategy that could be used to ensure the data can be recovered if the database becomes corrupted.
FinBank is considering using a data warehouse to consolidate its historical financial data.
Define the term data warehouse.
Explain two reasons why FinBank might use a data warehouse for financial analysis.
Outline one challenge that may arise from using a data warehouse in a financial context.
Define the term database management system (DBMS).
Identify two tasks that a database administrator carries out to ensure the security of the database.
Outline the purpose of a data definition language (DDL).
Identify three characteristics of logical schema.
A bank uses a relational database to manage accounts and transactions.
Define the term normalization.
Explain why normalization is important in the design of a banking database.
A university wants to ensure that its student database remains secure and accurate.
Define the term data integrity.
Describe one advantage of maintaining data integrity in the university’s student records.
Explain two measures that the university could implement to maintain data integrity.
EduBooks Ltd. is a global distributor of educational materials and uses a data warehouse to store data on customer preferences, sales trends, and market research. They aim to use this data to improve targeted marketing strategies.
(a) (i) Outline why data warehousing is beneficial for long-term business intelligence.
(a) (ii) Outline one reason why EduBooks would choose to use a data warehouse instead of operational databases for analytics.
(b) Explain the importance of data cleaning in EduBooks' ETL process before loading data into the warehouse.
(c) Compare the techniques of cluster analysis and classification as methods for identifying patterns in EduBooks’ data.
(d) Describe how predictive modeling could be used by EduBooks to forecast popular book genres for next season.