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Chapter 5: Problem 8

Discuss the entity integrity and referential integrity constraints. Why is each considered important?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Entity integrity and referential integrity are both key concepts in a relational database. Entity integrity ensures the uniqueness of records within a table, while referential integrity makes sure relationships between linked tables stay consistent, which prevents potential data inconsistencies.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Entity Integrity

Entity integrity is an essential aspect of database management, permitting each entity to be uniquely identifiable. It ensures the uniqueness of all tuples in a relation by stating that the primary key of a relation cannot be null and must contain distinct values. In this way, each entity or record within a table is guaranteed to be uniquely identifiable from all other records in the table.
02

Importance of Entity Integrity

Entity Integrity is considered important because it establishes solidity in the data stored within a database. It ensures that each record in a table is unique, and there can be no ambiguity or uncertainty concerning its identification. If entity integrity wasn't enforced, there may be multiple identical rows of data in a table, making it impossible to retrieve or modify a specific row accurately.
03

Understanding Referential Integrity

Referential Integrity is a property that must be maintained for any relational database. It ensures consistency and reliability of the data within the database tables. It mandates that if a value of a primary key in the referred table is used in another table (i.e., it becomes a foreign key), then this value must exist in the referred table.
04

Importance of Referential Integrity

Referential integrity is considered important because it prevents orphan records, i.e., records that reference a related record that no longer exists, from being created. This safeguards the integrity and consistency of the data within the overall database structure. Without referential integrity, inconsistencies can occur resulting in incorrect data relationships and data retrieval errors.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Discuss the characteristics of relations that make them different from ordinary tables and files.

Discuss the various reasons that lead to the occurrence of null values in relations.

. Consider the following relations for a database that keeps track of business trips of salespersons in a sales office: SALESPERSON(SSN, Name, Start Year, DepcNo) TRIP(SSN, From_City, To_City, Departure_Date, Return_Date, Trip ID) EXPENsE(Trip ID, Accountg, Amount) Specify the foreign keys for this schema, stating any assumptions you make.

Why are duplicate tuples not allowed in a relation?

Define the following terms: domain, attribute, n-tuple, relation schema, relation state, degree of a relation, relational database schema,relational database state.
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