COMP 5120/6120 Database Systems I
Homework #3
1. Answer the following questions about files and indexes:
a. What alternatives are available for the data entries in an index?
b. What is the difference between a clustered index and an unclustered index? If
an index contains data records as ‘data entries’, can it be unclustered?
c. How many clustered indexes can you create on a file? Would you always
create at least one clustered index for a file?
2. Explain the terms seek time, rotational delay, and transfer time.
3. What is sequential flooding of the buffer pool?
4. Describe two possible record formats. What are the trade-offs between them?
5. Why do frames in the buffer pool have a pin count instead of a pin flag?
6. Explain the intuition behind the two rules in the Bell-LaPadula model for mandatory
access control.
7. Describe a scenario in which mandatory access controls prevent a breach of security
that cannot be prevented through discretionary controls.
