Indian Institute of Technology Madras
BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper
Tools in Data Science
Deployment, databases & monitoring
Examination Instructions & Guidelines
- Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
- MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
- Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
- Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.
End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (FN)End Term
- Q1MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
When designing a SQLite database for time-series sensor data with millions of records, which indexing strategy optimizes both query performance and storage efficiency?
- APrimary key index only
- BComposite index on (timestamp, sensor_id) with partial indexes for active sensors
- CIndividual indexes on all columns
- DNo indexing to save storage space
- Q2MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
A developer optimizing database-heavy applications needs to identify query bottlenecks and connection issues. Which monitoring approach provides comprehensive insights?
- AApplication logs only
- BDatabase query profiling + connection pool metrics + application performance monitoring
- CNetwork traffic analysis only
- DMemory usage tracking exclusively
Read the passage below, then answer Q3
Scenario 2: Smart City Traffic Management System
A metropolitan city is implementing a real-time traffic management system that processes data from IoT sensors, traffic cameras, and GPS devices to optimize traffic flow across 500+ intersections.
System Architecture:
● IoT sensors at intersections (Lat/Long coordinates provided)
● Central processing hub: (28.6139^o N, 77.2090^o E)
● Real-time data streams: traffic density, weather conditions, accident reports
● ML models for traffic prediction and route optimization
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q3MCQ2 Marks·Choose one optionFor deploying the traffic management system across distributed edge computing nodes at intersections, which containerization strategy optimizes resource utilization and ensures consistent performance?
- ASingle monolithic container with all services
- BMulti-stage Docker builds with service mesh architecture and resource constraints
- CVirtual machines for each intersection
- DDirect installation on edge hardware without containerization
End Term · 31 Aug 2025 (AN)End Term
- Q4MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
For a MySQL database storing e-commerce analytics with complex joins and time-based queries, which indexing approach optimizes query performance?
- ASingle primary key index per table
- BComposite indexes on frequently joined columns, covering indexes for common queries, and partitioning by date ranges
- CUnique indexes on all columns
- DNo indexes to avoid write overhead
- Q5MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
For a machine learning API serving models with inconsistent response times, which monitoring strategy provides the most actionable insights?
- ATrack only HTTP response status codes
- BModel inference time + request queue depth + resource utilization + error rate tracking
- CMonitor only successful prediction accuracy
- DFocus exclusively on network bandwidth usage
Read the passage below, then answer Q6–Q7
Scenario 2: Smart Manufacturing Quality Control System
An automotive manufacturer implements an IoT-based quality control system that monitors production line metrics, detects defects in real-time, and optimizes manufacturing processes across multiple assembly plants.
System Architecture:
● IoT sensors at production stations (coordinates provided for each plant)
● Quality control hub: (42.3601^o N, 71.0589^o W)
● Real-time data streams: temperature, pressure, vibration, visual inspection
● ML models for defect prediction and process optimization
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q6MCQ2 Marks·Choose one optionFor deploying the quality control system across geographically distributed manufacturing plants with strict latency and reliability requirements, which architecture approach ensures optimal performance?
- ACentralized cloud-only deployment
- BEdge computing with local ML inference, container orchestration, and federated data synchronization
- CSingle server per plant without redundancy
- DManual quality control without automated systems
- Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
When detecting defects in real-time during high-speed production, which algorithmic approach best balances accuracy with processing speed requirements?
- AData based statistical analysis
- BOptimized computer vision pipeline with cascaded classifiers and early rejection mechanisms
- CManual visual inspection only
- DRandom sampling for quality checks
End Term · 13 Apr 2025 (FN)End Term
- Q8MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Which HTTP method is idempotent, meaning multiple identical requests have the same effect as a single request?
- APOST
- BPUT
- CGET
- DDELETE
Read the passage below, then answer Q9
Scenario 2
Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Planning
Background:
A wildfire is threatening a rural mountain region, and emergency services need to coordinate evacuation routes for four remote communities. The Emergency Management Center is located at a central command post, and must plan the most efficient evacuation route to ensure rapid and safe community evacuation.
The four communities are:
Pine Ridge Settlement (Latitude: 38.7456, Longitude: -120.8765)
Mountain View Village (Latitude: 38.6987, Longitude: -120.9234)
River Valley Community (Latitude: 38.7123, Longitude: -120.7654)
Forest Creek Hamlet (Latitude: 38.6789, Longitude: -120.8901)
Central Command Post Location:
(Latitude: 38.7200, Longitude: -120.8500)
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one optionIn a resource-constrained emergency environment, which deployment method would be MOST appropriate for the Python-based evacuation management system?
- ARunning scripts locally on a single emergency responder's laptop
- BDistributing Python source code to all emergency personnel
- CContainerized deployment with Docker for consistent execution across multiple devices
- DFull cloud migration requiring constant internet connectivity