FOUNDATIONS – COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
(2025 EDITION)
1. What is the primary purpose of a database?
A) To create graphical user interfaces.
B) To store and manage data in a structured way. ✓
C) To perform complex mathematical calculations.
D) To replace all spreadsheet applications.
2. In the context of databases, what does "data redundancy" often lead to?
A) Improved data security.
B) Faster query performance.
C) Data inconsistency and wasted storage. ✓
D) Greater data independence.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a file-based system?
A) Program-data independence.
B) Minimal data duplication.
C) Data is defined by and dependent on application programs. ✓
D) Powerful query languages like SQL.
4. The database approach emphasizes which of the following concepts?
A) Program-data dependence.
B) Isolated data repositories.
C) Single-user access.
D) Shared data resources. ✓
5. A DBMS (Database Management System) is best described as:
A) A collection of unstructured data.
B) A hardware system for data storage.
C) A software system that enables users to define, create, and control access to a database. ✓
D) A specific type of spreadsheet software.
6. Who is responsible for the overall management of the database and DBMS?
A) Database Designer
B) System Analyst
,C) Database Administrator (DBA) ✓
D) End User
7. The three-schema architecture in a DBMS includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Conceptual Schema
B) Internal Schema
C) External Schema
D) Logical Schema ✓
8. Data Independence allows changes to one schema without affecting the others. Logical
Data Independence protects the conceptual schema from changes in the:
A) Internal Schema.
B) External Schema. ✓
C) Physical storage.
D) All of the above.
9. The relational model for database management was developed by:
A) Charles Bachman
B) E.F. Codd ✓
C) Michael Stonebraker
D) Larry Ellison
10. In a relational model, data is logically structured within:
A) Hierarchical trees.
B) Network graphs.
C) Two-dimensional tables. ✓
D) Object-oriented classes.
11. A row in a relational table is formally known as a(n):
A) Attribute
B) Tuple ✓
C) Domain
D) Entity
12. A column in a relational table represents a(n):
A) Tuple
B) Attribute ✓
C) Instance
D) Relationship
,13. The set of all possible valid values for an attribute is called its:
A) Degree
B) Cardinality
C) Domain ✓
D) Key
14. The number of attributes in a relation is its:
A) Cardinality
B) Degree ✓
C) Domain
D) Tuple
15. The number of tuples (rows) in a relation is its:
A) Cardinality ✓
B) Degree
C) Domain
D) Key
16. A superkey is an attribute or set of attributes that uniquely identifies a:
A) Table
B) Tuple ✓
C) Domain
D) Relationship
17. A candidate key is a minimal superkey, meaning:
A) It has the fewest possible data types.
B) It has the fewest possible attributes while still being unique. ✓
C) It is always a single attribute.
D) It is chosen by the first user of the database.
18. The candidate key that is selected to uniquely identify tuples within a relation is called
the:
A) Foreign Key
B) Alternate Key
C) Primary Key ✓
D) Super Key
19. A foreign key is an attribute in one table that:
A) Must always have a unique value.
B) Is the primary key of another table. ✓
, C) Cannot be null.
D) Is always the first column in a table.
20. The requirement that every foreign key value must match an existing primary key value is
known as:
A) Entity Integrity
B) Domain Integrity
C) Referential Integrity ✓
D) User-Defined Integrity
21. Entity Integrity mandates that:
A) Every foreign key must be unique.
B) Every table must have a foreign key.
C) No primary key attribute can be null. ✓
D) All attributes must have the same domain.
22. Which of the following is a core function of a DBMS?
A) Data storage management ✓
B) Website hosting
C) Network routing
D) CPU manufacturing
23. Which data manipulation language (DML) command is used to retrieve data from a
database?
A) INSERT
B) UPDATE
C) SELECT ✓
D) DELETE
24. The SQL command to add a new row of data to a table is:
A) ADD
B) CREATE
C) INSERT ✓
D) UPDATE
25. Which SQL command is used to permanently save a transaction?
A) SAVE
B) STORE
C) COMMIT ✓
D) KEEP