Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about the B+ tree data…

2019

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about the B+ tree data structure used for creating an index of a relational database table?

  1. A.

    B+ Tree is a height-balanced tree

  2. B.

    Non-leaf nodes have pointers to data records

  3. C.

    Key values in each node are kept in sorted order

  4. D.

    Each leaf node has a pointer to the next leaf node

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Correct answer: B

Answer: The statement "Non-leaf nodes have pointers to data records" is NOT correct because in a B+ tree only leaf nodes contain pointers (or copies) to the actual data records; internal nodes store keys and pointers to child nodes.

  • B+ trees are height-balanced: all leaves are at the same depth, which keeps search costs uniform.

  • Keys in each node are kept in sorted order to direct searches to the correct child or leaf.

  • Leaf nodes are linked (each leaf points to the next leaf) to support efficient range queries and ordered scans.

  • Because internal nodes do not point to records, searches always descend to the leaf level where the record pointers are stored.

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