MIS 3140 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
primary key (PK) - Answers In the relational model, an identifier composed of one or more attributes
that uniquely identifies a row. Also, a candidate key selected as a unique entity identifier
key - Answers In the relational model, an identifier composed of one or more attributes that uniquely
identifies a row. Also, a candidate key selected as a unique entity identifier
New Logical View of Data - Answers The relational data model changed all of that by allowing the
designer to focus on the logical representation of the data and its relationships, rather than on the
physical storage details.
Determination (key) - Answers the state in which knowing the value of one attribute makes it
possible to determine the value of another
Composite Key - Answers Key that is composed of more than one attribute
Super Key - Answers a key that can uniquely identify any row in the table. In other words, this key
functionally determines every attribute in the row.
Candidate Key - Answers A minimal superkey; that is, a key that does not contain a subset of
attributes that is itself a superkey. Based on a full functional dependency
Entity Integrity - Answers the condition in which each row (entity instance) in a table has its own
unique identity
foreign key (FK) - Answers the primary key of one table that has been placed into another table to
create a common attribute. Used to ensure referential integrity
Referential Integrity - Answers A condition by which a dependent table's foreign key must have either
a null entry or a matching entry in the related table
UNION (RSO) - Answers an operator used to merge (append) two tables into a new table, dropping
the duplicate rows
Intersect (RSO) - Answers an operator used to yield only the rows that are common to two union-
compatible tables
Select (RSO) - Answers an operator used to select a subset of rows. Also known as RESTRICT
Project (RSO) - Answers an operator used to select a subset of columns
Product (RSO) - Answers an operator used to yield all possible pairs of rows from two tables.
Divide (RSO) - Answers an operator that answers queries about one set of data being associated with
all values of data in another set of data
Join (RSO) - Answers a type of operator used to yield rows from two tables based on criteria. There
are many types of it, such as natural and outer .
Data Dictionary - Answers contains at least all of the attribute names and characteristics for each
table in the system. In short, it contains metadata—data about data. Provides a detailed description
of all tables in the database created by the user and designer.
1:M relationship - Answers the norm for relational databases, one to many. Read more info in book
1:1 Relationship - Answers one entity in a 1:1 relationship can be related to only one other entity, and
vice versa. Rare in any relational database
M:N Relationship - Answers not supported directly in the relational environment. EX: a relationship
between classes and students.
data redundancy - Answers The duplication of data, or the storage of the same data in multiple
places. Leads to data anomalies, which can destroy the effectiveness of the database
Index - Answers An ordered array of index key values and row ID values. Generally used to speed up
and facilitate data retrieval. Also known as an index key
enitity - Answers An entity is an object of interest to the end user
required attribute - Answers an attribute that must have a value; in other words, it cannot be left
empty
Domain - Answers the set of possible values for a given attribute
composite attribute - Answers An attribute that can be further subdivided to yield additional
attributes. For example, a phone number such as 615-898-2368 may be divided into an area code
(615)
Simple attribute - Answers Attribute that cannot be subdivided
Derived attribute - Answers an attribute whose value is calculated (derived) from other attributes.
The derived attribute need not be physically stored within the database; instead, it can be derived by
using an algorithm
primary key (PK) - Answers In the relational model, an identifier composed of one or more attributes
that uniquely identifies a row. Also, a candidate key selected as a unique entity identifier
key - Answers In the relational model, an identifier composed of one or more attributes that uniquely
identifies a row. Also, a candidate key selected as a unique entity identifier
New Logical View of Data - Answers The relational data model changed all of that by allowing the
designer to focus on the logical representation of the data and its relationships, rather than on the
physical storage details.
Determination (key) - Answers the state in which knowing the value of one attribute makes it
possible to determine the value of another
Composite Key - Answers Key that is composed of more than one attribute
Super Key - Answers a key that can uniquely identify any row in the table. In other words, this key
functionally determines every attribute in the row.
Candidate Key - Answers A minimal superkey; that is, a key that does not contain a subset of
attributes that is itself a superkey. Based on a full functional dependency
Entity Integrity - Answers the condition in which each row (entity instance) in a table has its own
unique identity
foreign key (FK) - Answers the primary key of one table that has been placed into another table to
create a common attribute. Used to ensure referential integrity
Referential Integrity - Answers A condition by which a dependent table's foreign key must have either
a null entry or a matching entry in the related table
UNION (RSO) - Answers an operator used to merge (append) two tables into a new table, dropping
the duplicate rows
Intersect (RSO) - Answers an operator used to yield only the rows that are common to two union-
compatible tables
Select (RSO) - Answers an operator used to select a subset of rows. Also known as RESTRICT
Project (RSO) - Answers an operator used to select a subset of columns
Product (RSO) - Answers an operator used to yield all possible pairs of rows from two tables.
Divide (RSO) - Answers an operator that answers queries about one set of data being associated with
all values of data in another set of data
Join (RSO) - Answers a type of operator used to yield rows from two tables based on criteria. There
are many types of it, such as natural and outer .
Data Dictionary - Answers contains at least all of the attribute names and characteristics for each
table in the system. In short, it contains metadata—data about data. Provides a detailed description
of all tables in the database created by the user and designer.
1:M relationship - Answers the norm for relational databases, one to many. Read more info in book
1:1 Relationship - Answers one entity in a 1:1 relationship can be related to only one other entity, and
vice versa. Rare in any relational database
M:N Relationship - Answers not supported directly in the relational environment. EX: a relationship
between classes and students.
data redundancy - Answers The duplication of data, or the storage of the same data in multiple
places. Leads to data anomalies, which can destroy the effectiveness of the database
Index - Answers An ordered array of index key values and row ID values. Generally used to speed up
and facilitate data retrieval. Also known as an index key
enitity - Answers An entity is an object of interest to the end user
required attribute - Answers an attribute that must have a value; in other words, it cannot be left
empty
Domain - Answers the set of possible values for a given attribute
composite attribute - Answers An attribute that can be further subdivided to yield additional
attributes. For example, a phone number such as 615-898-2368 may be divided into an area code
(615)
Simple attribute - Answers Attribute that cannot be subdivided
Derived attribute - Answers an attribute whose value is calculated (derived) from other attributes.
The derived attribute need not be physically stored within the database; instead, it can be derived by
using an algorithm
