Keys - relational database integrity, Database Management System

Assignment Help:

Candidate Key:  In a relation R, a candidate key for R is a subset of the set of attributes of R, which have the differnt two properties:

(1)        Uniqueness:                No two distinct tuples in R have the similar value for the candidate key

(2)        Irreducible:                 No correct subset of the candidate key has the uniqueness property that is the candidate key.

Each relation must have at least one candidate key which cannot be reduced more. Duplicate tuples are not permitted in relations. Any candidate key can also be a composite key. For instance, (student-id + course-id) together can create the candidate key of a relation known as marks (student-id, course-id, marks).

Let us review the properties of a candidate key.

Properties of a candidate key

  • A candidate key has to be unique and irreducible
  • A candidate might be involving one or more than one attributes. A candidate key that contains more than one attribute is said to be composite.

But why are we interested in candidate keys?

Candidate keys are essential because they give the basic tuple-level identification mechanism in a relational system.

For instance, if the enrolment number is the candidate key of a STUDENT relation, then the solution of the query: "Find student details from the STUDENT relation having enrolment number A0123" will output at most one tuple.


Related Discussions:- Keys - relational database integrity

Explain concept of inheritance with support of example, Explain concept of ...

Explain concept of inheritance with support of suitable example. Inheritance Inheritance is one of milestone of object-oriented programming language as it allows a creati

Database, . Ashutosh Dubey who is the director of Gyan Gurukul want a three...

. Ashutosh Dubey who is the director of Gyan Gurukul want a three-level schema architecture for the Gyan Gurukul Company that provide better security also design a data abstraction

Define normalization, Normalization :It is a process of examine the given ...

Normalization :It is a process of examine the given relation schemas based on their primary key and Functional Dependencies (FDs) to achieve the properties Minimizing redun

What are stored-procedures, What are stored-procedures? And what are the ad...

What are stored-procedures? And what are the advantages of using them? Stored procedures are database objects that perform a user defined operation. A stored procedure can have

I need automated trading engine for crypto currencies, Project Description:...

Project Description: Looking to prepare automated trading engine for alternate cyprto currencies starting with Cryptsy, finally integrating into other exchanges. Need to work wi

What is called an evaluation primitive, What is called an evaluation primit...

What is called an evaluation primitive? A relational algebra operation annotated with instructions on how to evaluate is known as an evaluation primitive.

Database schemas and dependencies, 1. Staff(staffID, firstName, lastName, a...

1. Staff(staffID, firstName, lastName, availabilityID, experience, phone, mobile, email); 2. Availability(availabilityID, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

Entities, Entities Let us first be aware of the question: What are e...

Entities Let us first be aware of the question: What are entities? An entity is an object of concern used to show the things in the actual world, e.g., table, car, bo

Calculate the joint probability, Consider the following frequency counts o...

Consider the following frequency counts of some itemsets in a transaction database r : freq({A}, r) = 0.405 freq({B}, r) = 0.510 freq({C}, r) = 0.303 freq({A

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd