In DBMS, a minimal column or set of columns that can uniquely identify a row…
2017
In DBMS, a minimal column or set of columns that can uniquely identify a row and is eligible to be chosen as the primary key is called _________.
- A.
Alternate key
- B.
Candidate key
- C.
Foreign key
- D.
Composite key
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: Candidate key
A candidate key is a minimal column or set of columns that uniquely identifies each row in a relation. Because it satisfies uniqueness and minimality, it can be chosen as the primary key.
Why not alternate key? An alternate key is a candidate key that remains after one candidate key has already been selected as the primary key. So the broader and correct term for a possible primary key is candidate key.