Characteristics of a good query system: which combined qualities make database querying accessible and productive for end users without programming expertise?

Introduction / Context:
User-friendly query systems expand access to organizational data beyond specialized IT staff. The best systems support intuitive querying, whether via English-like prompts, guided builders, or visual query designers, while still enforcing security and governance. This democratizes insights and reduces reporting bottlenecks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on end-user accessibility.
• “English language commands” refers broadly to natural or English-like interfaces.
• Non-programmers should be able to retrieve information safely.

Concept / Approach:
Good query systems balance usability with precision. While strict free-form natural language may be limited, English-like or guided interfaces, parameterized prompts, and visual builders make querying approachable. Role-based access and row-level security ensure that ease of use does not compromise data protection. Therefore, the combination of accepting English-like commands and enabling non-programmer access best captures the goal.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Modern BI and self-service analytics tools exemplify these traits: guided queries, natural-language Q&A, and non-programmer workflows.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• (a) alone: Helpful but incomplete without broad accessibility.
• (b) alone: True, but the English-like interface further improves usability.
• (c): Excluding non-programmers contradicts modern self-service paradigms.
• (e): Invalid because a correct combined option exists.

Common Pitfalls:
Believing only programmers can query data; underestimating the value of guided and natural-language interfaces.

Final Answer:
both (a) and (b)