86. AQA GCSE (8525) SLR14 – 3.7 Relational databases introductio

What is a database?

• A single table of data

• A temporary collection of data

• A structured and persistent collection of data

• A collection of unstructured data

Answer explanation

A database is a structured and persistent collection of data, making the choice 'A structured and persistent collection of data' the correct answer.

What are the main advantages of databases?

• Increases storage requirements

• Makes data processing less efficient

• Helps to avoid redundancy

• All data is stored in one table

Answer explanation

The main advantage of databases is that they help to avoid redundancy by storing data in a structured manner, reducing data duplication and ensuring data consistency.

What are the two main types of databases?

• Single table and Relational databases

• Flat-file and Hierarchical databases

• Single table and Multi-table databases

• Relational and Non-relational databases

Answer explanation

The correct types of databases are Single table and Relational databases.

Why are flat-file databases considered inefficient?

• They eliminate data inconsistency

• They are used for complex data sets

• Data is often duplicated

• They can handle large datasets efficiently

Answer explanation

Flat-file databases are considered inefficient because data is often duplicated, leading to redundancy and wasted storage space.

What is a major drawback of flat-file databases?

• They are difficult to query

• They support complex transactions

• They provide high data security

• They are highly scalable

Answer explanation

The major drawback of flat-file databases is that they are difficult to query, making it challenging to retrieve specific data efficiently.

How do relational databases differ from flat-file databases?

• They contain only one table

• They are only used for trivial data sets

• They do not support SQL

• They consist of more than one table which are related

Answer explanation

Relational databases consist of multiple tables that are related to each other, unlike flat-file databases which contain only one table.

What is a key feature of relational databases?

• Data duplication

• Single table structure

• Data inconsistency

• Elimination of data redundancy

Answer explanation

Relational databases aim to eliminate data redundancy by storing data in separate tables and establishing relationships between them, ensuring data consistency and integrity.

What does a Database Management System (DBMS) do?

• Reduces the efficiency of data processing

• Manages the database and provides an interface for interaction

• It is the same as a database

• Stores data temporarily

Answer explanation

A Database Management System (DBMS) manages the database and provides an interface for interaction, enhancing data processing efficiency.

What is SQL?

• A type of database

• A programming language for data manipulation

• A flat-file database

• A hardware component

Answer explanation

SQL is a programming language specifically designed for data manipulation, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

What does the term 'persistent' imply about databases?

• Data is not saved permanently

• Data is stored temporarily

• Data is unstructured

• Data is stored in a structured and permanent manner

Answer explanation

The term 'persistent' implies that data is stored in a structured and permanent manner in databases.