Databases

Question 1

What is a database?

Answer 1

A database is a persistent organised store of data that is used on a computer system.

Question 2

What is a Flat File database?

Answer 2

A flat file database can be created in a word processor or spreadsheet as it is only composed of one file or table.

Question 3

What is each row known as in a flat file database?

Answer 3

• In a flat file database, each row of the table is known as a record

Question 4

What is each column known as in a Flat file database?

Answer 4

• each column is known as a field

Question 5

What is a Relational Database?

Answer 5

• Relational Database is where data is contained in more than one table. Tables are then joined by linking a primary key in one table to a foreign key in another table.

Question 6

What is a primary key?

Answer 6

• Primary Key is a unique identifier such as a code number that can be used to identify each record in a database table.

Question 7

What is a Foreign key?

Answer 7

• Foreign Key is a field in a table which can be linked to a primary key of another table.

Question 8

What is a composite key?

Answer 8

The composite primary key is used in a table where two columns are used to form a combined key field. It is necessary for both columns to be combined to form a unique reference.

Question 9

What is an advantage of using the relational database?

Answer 9

The advantage of using a relational database is that data redundancy is reduced as linking the data tables reduces the duplication of data. This makes it simpler to keep information up to date and increases the accuracy and consistency of data.
The most common type of relationship defined in a relational database is one to many