Database Applications Flashcards

What is the purpose of an index in a database?

Answer: To speed up data retrieval and search operations

An index stores a sorted reference to key field values, allowing the database engine to find matching records much faster than scanning every record.

In a database table, what does the term 'data type' refer to?

Answer: The format that defines what kind of data a field can store

A data type specifies what kind of data a field can hold — such as text, number, date, or Boolean — and determines how the data is stored and used.

Which SQL keyword is used to retrieve data from a database table?

Answer: SELECT

The SELECT statement is the fundamental SQL command for querying and retrieving data from one or more database tables.

What happens when you delete a record from a database?

Answer: The record's data is permanently removed from the table

Deleting a database record permanently removes that row's data from the table; unlike the OS recycle bin, database deletes are typically irreversible without a backup.

What is the advantage of using a relational database over a flat file database?

Answer: Relational databases eliminate data redundancy by linking related tables

Relational databases store data across multiple linked tables, avoiding repetition of the same information and making updates consistent across all related records.

Which of the following is NOT a common database object in Microsoft Access?

Answer: Slide

Slides are objects found in presentation software like PowerPoint, not in database applications; Access uses tables, queries, forms, and reports as its main objects.

What does DBMS stand for in the context of database software?

Answer: Database Management System

DBMS stands for Database Management System, which is software that provides tools to create, maintain, and control access to a database.