Key field

(computer science) A field in a segment or record that holds the value of a key to that record.

A field in a record that holds unique data which identifies that record from all the other records in the file or database. Account number, product code and customer name are typical key fields. As an identifier, each key value must be unique in each record. See sort key.

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A key field is a field or set of fields of a database (typically a relational database) table which together form a unique identifier for a database record (a table entry). The aggregate of these fields is usually referred to simply as "the key". Key fields also define searches.

Also see primary key and foreign key.

This article was originally based on material from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, which is licensed under the GFDL.

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