Deck 6: Data Flow Diagramming

Question 1

In a leveled set of data flow diagrams, which of the following shows the least detail?

A) Context.
B) Level zero.
C) Level one.
D) Primitive.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In a data flow diagram, lines:

A) Should not be labeled.
B) Should be labeled with verb phrases.
C) Should be labeled with noun phrases.
D) Should have arrows on both ends.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Data flow diagrams:

A) Help users understand a system.
B) Are important forms of internal control in all accounting information systems.
C) Eliminate the need for data normalization.
D) Are more useful than flowcharts.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Data flow diagrams:

A) Indicate the hardware and software technologies that should be used in an accounting information system.
B) Can be a first step in making process improvements.
C) Are necessary first steps in designing databases for an accounting information system.
D) Are less useful than flowcharts.

Question 5

The process of making database tables as efficient and effective as possible is called:

A) Normalization.
B) Re-engineering.
C) Decomposing.
D) Rationalizing.

Question 6

Which of the following is not an appropriate label for an arrow in a data flow diagram?

A) Customer information.
B) Credit decision.
C) Process application.
D) Inventory database.

Question 7

Which of the following symbols would you find in a data flow diagram, but not in a flowchart?

A) Parallel lines.
B) Rectangle.
C) Circle.
D) Diamond.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a difference between data flow diagrams and flowcharts?

A) Circles are labeled in DFDs, but not in flowcharts.
B) Lines are labeled in flowcharts, but not in DFDs.
C) Flowcharts cannot span more than one page, while DFDs often span more than one page.
D) Flowcharts are organized in columns; DFDs are not.

Question 9

Flowcharts are organized in _____, while DFDs are organized in _____.

A) Columns, leveled sets.
B) Columns, rows.
C) Rows, leveled sets.
D) Rows, columns.

Question 10

The processes in a Level Zero data flow diagram are numbered:

A) 0.1, 0.2 and so on.
B) 1.1, 2.1 and so on.
C) 1.0, 2.0 and so on.
D) 1.1, 1.2 and so on.

Question 11

Which normal form eliminates repeating groups?

A) First and second.
B) Second and third.
C) First only.
D) First, second and third.

Question 12

Which of the following symbols would you find in a flowchart, but not in a data flow diagram?

A) Circle.
B) Line.
C) Triangle.
D) Number.

Question 13

In a data flow diagram, a(n) ___ process has been decomposed as much as possible.

A) Level zero.
B) Primitive.
C) Basic.
D) Exploded.

Question 14

In a data flow diagram, "retrieve inventory from warehouse" would be represented by:

A) A circle.
B) A rectangle.
C) An arrow.
D) A set of parallel lines.

Question 15

Data flow diagrams:

A) Ensure that accounting information systems function efficiently.
B) Can indicate the database tables needed for an accounting information system.
C) Never show internal control weaknesses in the accounting information system.
D) Give the same information as flowcharts.

Question 16

Databases in a data flow diagram are represented by:

A) Parallel lines.
B) Rectangles.
C) Triangles.
D) Circles.

Question 17

In a data flow diagram, a circle represents:

A) An on-page connector.
B) An off-page connector.
C) An external entity.
D) A business process.

Question 18

Which normal form eliminates redundant data?

A) First and second.
B) Second and third.
C) Second only.
D) First, second and third.

Question 19

In a data flow diagram, "vendor" would be represented by:

A) A circle.
B) A rectangle.
C) An arrow.
D) A column.

Question 20

Which of the following are concerned with data: (i) data flow diagrams, (ii) flowcharts.

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D Neither i nor ii.

Question 21

Consider the partial data flow diagrams below. Which of them is least correct?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 22

A data flow diagram process is numbered "1.2." Which of the following is/are true: (i) the data flow diagram contains at least one other process, (ii) the data flow diagram is a Level Two diagram.

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D) Neither i nor ii.

Question 23

The following applies to Questions 36 through 39:
Which symbol above would be represented in a data flow diagram with two parallel lines?

A) Symbol a.
B) Symbol b.
C) Symbol c.
D) Symbol d.

Question 24

Consider the partial data flow diagram below: Which of the following is most true?

A) The data flow diagram is correctly prepared.
B) The process appears to make something from nothing.
C) The word "customer" appears too much.
D) The data flow is incorrectly labeled.

Question 25

Which of the following violates the rules for preparing a data flow diagram?

A) "Order data" enters the "take customer order process," but "processed order" leaves it.
B) A data flow diagram contains eight processes.
C) "Customer information" enters a "customer database," but nothing leaves the database.
D) A line is labeled "enter customer data".

Question 26

Both DFDs and flowcharts are concerned with:

A) Information technology.
B) Documents.
C) Processing tools.
D) Data.

Question 27

The following applies to Questions 36 through 39:
Which symbol above would be represented in a data flow diagram with an arrow?

A) Symbol a.
B) Symbol b.
C) Symbol c.
D) Symbol d.

Question 28

The following applies to Questions 36 through 39:
Which two symbols above would be represented with a circle in a data flow diagram?

A) Symbols A and b.
B) Symbols C and d.
C) Symbols A and d.
D) Symbols C and d.

Question 29

All of the following violate the rules for preparing data flow diagrams except:

A) "Inventory information" moves from the "inventory database" to "vendor".
B) "Customer information" enters the "customer database" without a process.
C) A process is labeled "vendor information update".
D) Data moves directly from "vendor" to "customer".

Question 30

Frank does not want to use numbers to identify customers or employees in his database. Which of the following tables would likely require a compound primary key: (i) customer table, (ii) employee table?

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D) Neither i nor ii.

Question 31

Frank created a "customer table" in his accounting information system database. Which of the following is most likely to be the primary key in the table?

A) Customer last name.
B) Sales transaction numbers
C) Phone number.
D) Customer number.

Question 32

In designing an accounting information system, a data flow diagram can help with: (i) database construction, (ii) communication.

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D) Neither i nor ii.

Question 33

"Customer information" enters a business process in a Level Zero data flow diagram. For the associated Level One diagram to be balanced, "customer information" must:

A) Leave the last business process.
B) Have a different name.
C) Enter a business process with the same name.
D) Be an input to the first process on Level One.

Question 34

An inventory table is in third normal form. It is least likely to include which of the following fields?

A) Inventory item number.
B) Vendor Id.
C) Units on hand as of March 1, 2005.
D) Purchase transaction number.

Question 35

A process labeled "Update employee information" has "employee information" flowing into it and nothing flowing out. Which of the following is most true?

A) The process should be represented by a circle.
B) The process should be converted to an external entity named "employee".
C) The process points out an internal control weakness.
D) The process should be converted to a data store.

Question 36

Bill and Lisa are trying to understand how sales invoices are processed in their client's accounting information system. Which of the following would be most helpful?

A) Data flow diagram.
B) Database table specifications.
C) Financial statements.
D) Risk/control matrix.

Question 37

In a leveled set of data flow diagrams, which of the following is most likely to be a primitive process?

A) Complete the steps in the accounting cycle.
B) Approve customer credit.
C) Process sales transaction.
D) Retrieve information from inventory database.

Question 38

The following applies to Questions 36 through 39:
How many of the symbols above would be numbered in a flowchart?

A) None.
B) One.
C) Two.
D) Four.

Question 39

A data flow diagram contains a single business process called "sales/collection system." Which of the following statements is most true?

A) The DFD is a context-level diagram.
B) The DFD is not balanced.
C) The process is primitive.
D) The DFD is a Level Zero diagram.

Question 40

A data flow diagram is most likely to reveal: (i) inadequate separation of duties, (ii) process inefficiencies.

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D) Neither i nor ii.

Question 41

ALZ Corporation marks up all its inventory 20% based on cost; that is, if an item costs $100, its selling price is $120. If an item costs $150, which of the following is/are true: (i) the "selling price" field in the table should be $180, (ii) the "selling price" field should be numeric.

A) i only.
B) ii only.
C) Both i and ii.
D) Neither i nor ii.

Question 42

Which of the following partial data flow diagrams has a poorly defined system boundary?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 43

A Level Zero data flow diagram contains a rectangle labeled "vendor." Which of the following is most true?

A) The rectangle does not require a database table.
B) The rectangle indicates a database with a compound primary key.
C) The associated database requires a junction table.
D) The primary key for the indicated database may be a foreign key elsewhere.

Question 44

The following partial data flow diagram pertains to Questions 46 through 50:
Which process would require an additional output in the full data flow diagram?

A) Process applications.
B) Send invitations.
C) Schedule auditions.
D) None of them would require an additional output.

Question 45

The following partial data flow diagram pertains to Questions 46 through 50:
All of the following statements are true except:

A) All applicants are entered in the contestant database.
B) All contestants receive invitations.
C) Contestants must provide their availability to be scheduled for an audition.
D) Invitations cannot be sent by e-mail.

Question 46

The following partial data flow diagram pertains to Questions 46 through 50:
The primary key from the ___ table would be posted as a foreign key in the ___ table.

A) Game show applicants, process applications.
B) Process applications, contestant database.
C) Contestant database, send invitations.
D) Send invitations, contestant.

Question 47

Data flow diagram creation
The Rancho Cucamonga Humane Society is open from 7a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. They maintain a computerized inventory of animals available for adoption, which includes: animal type (dog, cat, bird), breed (basset hound, parakeet), gender, approximate age, date placed at the shelter, notes and date adopted. People interested in adopting animals can visit the Society at any time; they complete an application, which is reviewed by the Society staff. A staff member discusses the potential adopters' wants and needs for a pet, then takes them to see appropriate animals. The potential adopter can see and interact with up to five animals in a single visit. If the customer chooses an animal, the staff member fills out appropriate paperwork before the customer takes the pet home. A staff member makes a follow-up call two weeks later to ensure that everything is satisfactory with both the pet and the adopter. Prepare a Level Zero data flow diagram of the preceding narrative.

Question 48

Data flow diagram creation
Big Bear Car Wash (BBCW) is a thriving business in a small town; unless the weather is rainy, BBCW is open from 6a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Clients drive their cars into the driveway, where a service writer takes their car wash order. The order includes two things: the style of wash (gold, silver or platinum) and the air freshener scent (cinnamon, vanilla and others). The service writer uses a handheld wireless computer to generate a receipt for the transaction; the receipt also includes the vehicle's license plate number. The customer leaves the keys in the car and goes inside to pay for the wash. The cashier collects the fee and updates BBCW's automobile database; for every nine car washes paid on the same automobile, the tenth is free. The car proceeds through the car wash and is hand-dried by BBCW attendants. The customer shows the paid receipt to the attendant and drives the car away. Prepare a Level Zero data flow diagram of the preceding narrative.

Question 49

Explain three specific ways Paige could use the data flow diagram in her firm's accounting information system. Do not simply repeat the generic uses discussed in the text.

Question 50

Interpret Paige's data flow diagram by writing a narrative description of the sales process based on it.

Question 51

Identify the purpose and nature of each symbol type used in the data flow diagram.

Question 52

The following partial data flow diagram pertains to Questions 46 through 50:
Which of the following statements is least true?

A) "Game show applicants" would require a database table.
B) "Process applications" would require a database table.
C) Neither "game show applicants" nor "process applications" would require a database table.
D) Both "game show applicants" and "process applications" would require a database table.

Question 53

Piper's firm typically uses flowcharts to document business processes. Explain two similarities and two differences between data flow diagrams and systems flowcharts.

Question 54

The following partial data flow diagram pertains to Questions 46 through 50:
Which process would most likely need to be exploded?

A) Process applications.
B) Send invitations.
C) Schedule auditions.
D) None of them would likely need to be exploded.

Question 55

A relational database contains four tables: vendor, inventory, purchasing agent and purchases. Which of the following statements is least true?

A) The purchases table will have two foreign keys.
B) The purchases table will have three foreign keys.
C) The purchasing agent table will have a compound primary key.
D) The database will also need at least one junction table.

Question 56

Data flow diagram and flowchart comparison
The systems flowchart below depicts a typical appointment process for Dr. M. Ali, an internal medicine specialist. In Dr. Ali's office, a nurse also functions as a receptionist. "Vital signs" include weight, temperature and blood pressure. The "chart" is the record of all a patient's visits to the doctor. Prepare a Level Zero data flow diagram for the same process

Question 57

Data flow diagram and flowchart comparison
Indicate whether each of the statements applies to: (a) data flow diagrams only, (b) flowcharts only, (c) both data flow diagrams and flowcharts or (d) neither data flow diagrams nor flowcharts.
______ 1. "Marketing department" and "customer" denoted by rectangles.
______ 2. Column headings read "marketing department" and "customer".
______ 3. Contains four different symbol types.
______ 4. Document is read from left to right.
______ 5. Incorporates more than four symbol types.
______ 6. Line is labeled "send data to accounting".
______ 7. Processing tools, such as computers, are clearly indicated.
______ 8. Rectangle is labeled "1.0: assemble raw materials".
______ 9. Spans more than one page.
______ 10. Vendor database is represented by two parallel lines.

Question 58

Data flow diagram uses
Consider the data flow diagram below for Meg's Coffee Emporium. Meg's maintains a correctly designed database and appropriate internal controls for the process based on the data flow diagram. Place an "X" in the appropriate column for each question below based on the DFD and its underlying database.

Question 59

Consider the partial data flow diagram below: Which of the following is most true?

A) The database should not receive information from a process.
B) The process is incorrectly labeled.
C) The database should have a number.
D) The diagram is not balanced.

Question 60

Database table design
Several independent statements regarding database table design appear below. Indicate the highest normal form that applies to each statement: (a) first normal form, (b) second normal form, (c) third normal form or (d) not in any normal form.
______ 1. A sales staff/automobile table connects two tables: one with data about automobiles, the
other with data about sales staff.
______ 2. All columns depend on the table's primary key.
______ 3. An "automobile" table contains the name of the sales staff member with the greatest
dollar sales for the month.
______ 4. An inventory table contains the following fields: item number, item description,
beginning inventory quantity, average cost of beginning inventory, beginning inventory
date.
______ 5. Customer table contains information about sales transactions.
______ 6. Each record in a sales table contains four fields: transaction number, transaction date,
customer name and sales staff name. Each student is paired with a single advisor; an advisor's name appears more than once in a table.
______ 7. Redundant data does not appear in the table.
______ 8. The sales table contains one field for accounts debited and credited.
______ 9. The table eliminates repeating groups.