answersLogoWhite

0

In a Database, more specifically a relational model, columns of one table that relate to columns of another table are called "key columns".

There are two types of "key" columns. Foreign key and Primary Key.

The Primary key of a table is usually a column within a table that contains unique data which cannot be duplicated. Think of it as a "unique identifier" column. You can actually create an array of key columns in a table to represent a unique series of values as well. (so PKey 1,2,3 are unique and no group of PKey's 1,2,3 will be the same, even though sometimes any one of those columns may contain a single value that has been duplicated, the consolidated value of all 3 will never be replicated).

The Primary key of table A is linked to the Primary key of Table B for instance. Table B's Primary Key in this relationship is then called a "Foreign Key", meaning "The Primary Key of the OTHER table".

That's a pretty basic understanding of how they work. There is a little bit more involved but this is the gist of it.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Basic Math

What is primary key constraint?

Primary Key is a Constraint Used to avoid Duplicate entries in database table and you define primary key the column doesn't allow NULL values.


What does a primary key do?

A primary key is a unique identifier for a record in a database table, ensuring that each entry is distinct and can be accurately referenced. It prevents duplicate records and enforces data integrity by establishing a reliable way to access and manipulate data. Additionally, a primary key can facilitate relationships between different tables in a relational database.


Is the primary key field?

In a relational database it is used as a way to uniquely identify a record in a table. It also allows tables within the database to reference the specific record within the table. For example, a common practice is to have the database automatically determine the Primary Key with an auto-incrementing value starting at 1 upon inserting each new record. The reason for uniquely identifying the record is there could be cases where the data between two records are exactly the same, but they need to be separate as they do represent different things. For example, let's say you have a database containing the name of a person "John Smith". What would happen if you added "John Smith" into the database multiple times without a Primary Key? By providing the Primary Key as shown below, you can now reference the correct "John Smith". Id Name 1 John Smith 2 John Smith


What is key attribute and non key attribute?

A key attribute is a characteristic of an entity that uniquely identifies each instance of that entity in a database, such as a primary key in a table. For example, in a customer database, a customer ID serves as a key attribute. In contrast, a non-key attribute provides additional information about the entity but does not uniquely identify it; for instance, a customer's name or email address would be considered non-key attributes. Together, key and non-key attributes help structure and define the data within a database.


What is 1nf2nf 3nf?

1NF (First Normal Form) requires that a database table has a primary key and that all entries in a column are atomic, meaning each field contains indivisible values. 2NF (Second Normal Form) builds on 1NF by ensuring that all non-key attributes are fully functionally dependent on the primary key, eliminating partial dependencies. 3NF (Third Normal Form) further requires that there are no transitive dependencies, meaning non-key attributes should not depend on other non-key attributes. Together, these normal forms help reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity in relational databases.