The collection of information stored in a database at a particular moment is…
2019
The collection of information stored in a database at a particular moment is called its:
Answer: B. instance — ConceptA database has two different aspects: its relatively stable structure and its changing data state. The structure is described by a schema, whereas the…
- A.
view
- B.
instance
- C.
scheme
- D.
None of these
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Correct answer: B
Concept
A database has two different aspects: its relatively stable structure and its changing data state.
The structure is described by a schema, whereas the data present at one specific time forms a database instance.
Application
The stem asks for the collection of information stored at a particular moment. That wording refers to the data state at that instant, so the required term is instance.
Contrast
view: a query-defined presentation of selected data.
instance: the database state at a particular time.
scheme: an ordinary word for a plan; schema is the DBMS term for structure.
None of these: unnecessary because instance is among the listed terms.
Cross-check
If rows are inserted or deleted, the instance changes, while the schema can remain unchanged. This confirms that the time-specific collection of stored information is the database instance.
Therefore, the answer is instance.