DBMS Quiz - MCQ - Multiple Choice Questions

Dive into the world of Database Management Systems with this beginner-friendly quiz! Whether you are just starting out or want to refresh your foundational knowledge, these questions cover key concepts crucial to understanding DBMS. Each question comes with a correct answer and a brief explanation to enrich your learning experience.

1. What does DBMS stand for?

A. Digital Base Management System

B. Database Management Software

C. Database Management System

D. Data Block Management System

Answer:

C. Database Management System

Explanation:

DBMS stands for Database Management System, which is a software system that manages databases.

2. Which of the following is NOT a type of DBMS?

A. RDBMS

B. HDBMS

C. OODBMS

D. FDBMS

Answer:

D. FDBMS

Explanation:

There's no type of DBMS known as FDBMS. RDBMS stands for Relational DBMS, HDBMS for Hierarchical DBMS, and OODBMS for Object-Oriented DBMS.

3. What language is used by most relational DBMSs for queries?

A. QL

B. SQL

C. RQL

D. DQL

Answer:

B. SQL

Explanation:

SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is the standard language used to query a relational database.

4. In a database, what is a collection of related data entries called?

A. Cell

B. Key

C. Table

D. Schema

Answer:

C. Table

Explanation:

In a database, a table is a collection of related data entries. It consists of columns and rows.

5. What is a single entry in a database table called?

A. Key

B. Record

C. Field

D. Pointer

Answer:

B. Record

Explanation:

A single entry in a database table, representing a set of related data, is called a record or a row.

6. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a primary key in a database table?

A. Encrypting data

B. Speeding up search queries

C. Uniquely identifying a record

D. Indicating relationships between tables

Answer:

C. Uniquely identifying a record

Explanation:

A primary key is used to uniquely identify each record in a database table.

7. What type of database relationship links records in two tables based on common values?

A. Dynamic link

B. Embedded link

C. Foreign link

D. Foreign key relationship

Answer:

D. Foreign key relationship

Explanation:

A foreign key relationship in one table links records to primary key values in another table based on common values.

8. What does a composite key mean in a DBMS?

A. A key that is composed of two or more columns

B. A key that is used in complex queries

C. A key that is composed of duplicate values

D. A key that can be divided into multiple parts

Answer:

A. A key that is composed of two or more columns

Explanation:

A composite key is made up of two or more columns in a table that are used together to uniquely identify each row.

9. Which one is NOT a characteristic of a database?

A. Persistent data

B. Multi-user access

C. Limited data redundancy

D. Temporary data

Answer:

D. Temporary data

Explanation:

Databases store persistent data, which means the data remains in the database even if the system is turned off.

10. In a relational database, a table is also known as a?

A. Tuple

B. Relation

C. Field

D. Attribute

Answer:

B. Relation

Explanation:

In a relational model, a table is often referred to as a relation, whereas rows are called tuples and columns are called attributes.

11. A foreign key in one table points to the ________ in another table.

A. Foreign Key

B. Secondary Key

C. Primary Key

D. Composite Key

Answer:

C. Primary Key

Explanation:

A foreign key in one table references the primary key of another table, establishing a link between them.

12. Which of the following refers to the correctness and completeness of data?

A. Integrity

B. Security

C. Redundancy

D. Consistency

Answer:

A. Integrity

Explanation:

Data integrity ensures that the data in the database is accurate and reliable.

13. What is the primary purpose of normalization in DBMS?

A. Speeding up transactions

B. Reducing data redundancy

C. Increasing storage

D. Enhancing security

Answer:

B. Reducing data redundancy

Explanation:

Normalization is a process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.

14. What does the acronym ACID stand for in database transactions?

A. Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability

B. Availability, Concurrency, Isolation, Data Integrity

C. Atomicity, Concurrency, Integrity, Durability

D. Access, Consistency, Integrity, Durability

Answer:

A. Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability

Explanation:

ACID properties ensure the reliable processing of transactions within a DBMS.

15. Which of the following models uses a tree-like structure?

A. Relational model

B. Hierarchical model

C. Network model

D. Object-oriented model

Answer:

B. Hierarchical model

Explanation:

The hierarchical model represents data in a tree-like structure, with one root and a hierarchy of subordinate segments or records.

16. What does DDL stand for in DBMS?

A. Data Definition Language

B. Data Driven Language

C. Database Driven Language

D. Data Deployment Language

Answer:

A. Data Definition Language

Explanation:

DDL, or Data Definition Language, consists of SQL commands that define and manage database structures, like creating, altering, and dropping tables.

17. In a database, what does a 'foreign key' represent?

A. A primary key from another table

B. A unique identifier for the database

C. A special key used for encryption

D. The secondary index key

Answer:

A. A primary key from another table

Explanation:

A foreign key is a field (or set of fields) in a table that uniquely identifies a row of another table, enforcing referential integrity in the database.

18. Which normal form ensures that a table has a primary key and that all columns are fully functionally dependent on it?

A. 1NF

B. 2NF

C. 3NF

D. BCNF

Answer:

A. 1NF

Explanation:

The First Normal Form (1NF) ensures that each column contains atomic (indivisible) values, and there is a primary key present.

19. What does the 'C' in CRUD operations stand for?

A. Create

B. Call

C. Copy

D. Clear

Answer:

A. Create

Explanation:

CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete - the four basic functions of persistent storage in DBMS.

20. Which of the following is NOT a type of database join?

A. Inner Join

B. Outer Join

C. Middle Join

D. Cross Join

Answer:

C. Middle Join

Explanation:

There's no type of database join known as a Middle Join. Joins combine rows from two or more tables based on related columns.

21. Which of the following DBMS is NOT based on the relational model?

A. MySQL

B. PostgreSQL

C. Oracle

D. MongoDB

Answer:

D. MongoDB

Explanation:

MongoDB is a NoSQL database, which means it doesn't rely on the traditional relational database model.

22. What is the main advantage of using an index in a DBMS?

A. It reduces storage space.

B. It speeds up search/query performance.

C. It ensures data consistency.

D. It makes data encryption easier.

Answer:

B. It speeds up search/query performance.

Explanation:

Indexing speeds up the search/query performance by creating a data structure that can be quickly traversed to find the required data.

23. Which command is used to remove a table from a database in SQL?

A. REMOVE TABLE

B. DELETE TABLE

C. DROP TABLE

D. ERASE TABLE

Answer:

C. DROP TABLE

Explanation:

The "DROP TABLE" command is used to delete an existing table from a database.

24. Which of the following is a disadvantage of a database management system?

A. Data redundancy

B. Data integrity

C. Complexity

D. Data consistency

Answer:

C. Complexity

Explanation:

While DBMS offers many advantages, they can be complex systems requiring specialized knowledge to set up and maintain.

25. What is a data warehouse?

A. A tool for backup and recovery

B. A database designed for transactional processes

C. A large database specifically designed for query and analysis

D. A temporary storage for data before it's inserted into the database

Answer:

C. A large database specifically designed for query and analysis

Explanation:

A data warehouse is a system used for reporting and analyzing and is a central repository of data integrated from different sources.

26. What does the SQL command "ALTER" do?

A. Deletes a database

B. Modifies an existing database object

C. Lists the structure of a table

D. Inserts data into a table

Answer:

B. Modifies an existing database object

Explanation:

The "ALTER" command is used to modify an existing object inside a database, such as adding, deleting, or modifying columns in an existing table.

27. Which SQL statement is used to retrieve data from a database?

A. SELECT

B. FETCH

C. RETRIEVE

D. GET

Answer:

A. SELECT

Explanation:

The "SELECT" statement is used to select data from one or more tables.

28. In a DBMS, what is the role of a schema?

A. To define the structure of the database

B. To encrypt the database

C. To define the database backup process

D. To authenticate users

Answer:

A. To define the structure of the database

Explanation:

A schema in a DBMS defines the logical structure of the database, including tables, columns, keys, indexes, relationships, and more.

29. Which of the following SQL statements is used to update existing data in a database?

A. UPDATE

B. MODIFY

C. CHANGE

D. REVISE

Answer:

A. UPDATE

Explanation:

The "UPDATE" statement is used to modify existing data in a table.

30. Which of the following is not a property of transaction in DBMS?

A. Atomicity

B. Consistency

C. Durability

D. Flexibility

Answer:

D. Flexibility

Explanation:

Transactions in DBMS follow the ACID properties: Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability.

31. Which normal form aims to remove transitive dependencies in a relational database?

A. 1NF

B. 2NF

C. 3NF

D. BCNF

Answer:

C. 3NF

Explanation:

The Third Normal Form (3NF) is focused on eliminating transitive dependencies from a relational database.

32. What is a 'view' in a DBMS?

A. A snapshot of the data

B. A backup of the data

C. A virtual table based on the result of an SQL statement

D. A user-defined function

Answer:

C. A virtual table based on the result of an SQL statement

Explanation:

A view in DBMS is a virtual table that is based on the result of a SQL statement. It does not hold data itself but rather references data contained in other tables.

33. Which of the following is NOT a SQL constraint?

A. UNIQUE

B. FOREIGN KEY

C. DELETE

D. PRIMARY KEY

Answer:

C. DELETE

Explanation:

"DELETE" is an SQL command to remove records from a table, not a constraint.

34. What does the SQL command "JOIN" specifically do?

A. Combines rows from two or more tables based on a related column.

B. Creates a new table in the database.

C. Deletes data from a table.

D. Updates data in a table.

Answer:

A. Combines rows from two or more tables based on a related column.

Explanation:

The "JOIN" command in SQL is used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them.

35. What is the purpose of the "GROUP BY" clause in SQL?

A. To sort the results in ascending or descending order.

B. To group the results based on one or more columns.

C. To retrieve a single value after calculations.

D. To filter the results based on a condition.

Answer:

B. To group the results based on one or more columns.

Explanation:

"GROUP BY" groups the rows that have the same values in specified columns into summary rows.

36. Which SQL clause is used to specify a condition while fetching data from a single table?

A. AND

B. OR

C. NOT

D. WHERE

Answer:

D. WHERE

Explanation:

The "WHERE" clause is used to filter records and extract only those that fulfill a specified condition.

37. What is the result of the SQL command "DROP TABLE table name;"?

A. It deletes the data in the table.

B. It deletes the table structure.

C. It deletes both the table structure and the data within it.

D. It archives the table.

Answer:

C. It deletes both the table structure and the data within it.

Explanation:

The "DROP TABLE" command removes a table and all of its data permanently from the database.

38. In which normal form, does a table have all entries in a column of the same kind?

A. 1NF

B. 2NF

C. 3NF

D. 4NF

Answer:

A. 1NF

Explanation:

In the First Normal Form (1NF), each column must have atomic (indivisible) values.

39. In a relational database, what does a row represent?

A. Field

B. Relation

C. Tuple

D. Attribute

Answer:

C. Tuple

Explanation:

In the context of a relational database, a row is also known as a tuple.

40. Which SQL statement is used to insert a new record in a table?

A. ADD NEW

B. INSERT INTO

C. ADD INTO

D. ADD RECORD

Answer:

B. INSERT INTO

Explanation:

The "INSERT INTO" statement is used to insert new records into a table.

41. Which of the following operations allows for extracting a subset of a database?

A. Union

B. Intersection

C. Projection

D. Cartesian Product

Answer:

C. Projection

Explanation:

The projection operation extracts only the desired columns without modifying the rows.