Consider the following statements S1 and S2 about the relational data model:…

2021

Consider the following statements S1 and S2 about the relational data model:

  • S1: A relation scheme can have at most one foreign key.

  • S2: A foreign key in a relation scheme R cannot be used to refer to tuples of R.

Which one of the following choices is correct?

  1. A.

    Both S1 and S2 are true

  2. B.

    S1 is true and S2 is false

  3. C.

    S1 is false and Sis true

  4. D.

    Both S1 and S2 are false

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Correct answer: D

Answer: Both statements are false.

Key points:

  • S1 is false: A relation scheme can have zero, one, or many foreign keys. There is no restriction that limits a relation to at most one foreign key.

  • S2 is false: A foreign key may reference tuples of the same relation (self-referential foreign key). For example, Employee(emp_id, name, manager_id) can have manager_id as a foreign key referencing emp_id in the same Employee relation.

Because both statements are false, the correct choice is the one that states both statements are false.

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