Database Entity Types and Keys

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of keys in an entity type?

To identify or access a particular entity instance of an entity type

What is the primary function of a key in an entity type?

To pick a particular/single instance out of many instances

Why can't we use a single attribute like 'name' to identify an entity instance?

Because many people can have the same name

What is an example of a key in a real-world scenario?

<p>National ID Card number</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an entity type?

<p>A category or class of entities with similar characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an entity type and an instance?

<p>An entity type is a category, while an instance is a specific example of that category</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do we need keys in data management?

<p>To uniquely identify and access a particular instance within a large dataset</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can a combination of attributes be used as a key?

<p>Yes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a key in data retrieval?

<p>It enables precise identification of a single instance</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between an entity type and its instances?

<p>An entity type can have many instances</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Entity Types and Attributes

  • Entity types are differentiated by their attributes.
  • Each entity type can have multiple instances, with each instance having values for each attribute.

Keys and Their Purpose

  • A key is a set of attributes that identifies a specific entity instance within an entity type.
  • Keys are necessary to access and identify a particular instance among many instances of an entity type.
  • Example: In a database of Pakistan's population, a key is needed to identify a specific person among millions.

Characteristics of Keys

  • A key can be simple (consisting of a single attribute) or composite (consisting of two or more attributes).
  • Keys can be drawn from existing attributes in the real-world system or designed by the database designer.

Types of Keys

  • Super Key: [no additional information provided]
  • Candidate Key: [no additional information provided]
  • Primary Key: [no additional information provided]
  • Alternate Key: [no additional information provided]
  • Secondary Key: [no additional information provided]
  • Foreign Key: [no additional information provided]

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