Database Flatfile - Quiz Explanation

The correct answers are indicated below, along with text that explains the correct answers.
 
1. What does "flat file" refer to?
Please select the best answer.
  A. A type of database storage method where all of the data elements are stored on top of each other
  B. A fully-relational database system like Microsoft's SQL Server or Oracle's database systems
  C. Non-relational systems that typically store each table and index in separate files and often do not support the SQL language
  D. None of the above
  The correct answer is C.
Flat file systems include xBase systems, Btrieve, and FoxPro databases. These systems are typically PC-based and often do not directly have a capability to query the database with SQL.

2. Which of the following statements is true?
Please select the best answer.
  A. Flat file database systems pay more attention to retrieving data and making it accessible to the user, whereas relational databases spend more energy updating indexes and data pointers.
  B. Relational database systems are the main thrust behind SQL since it provides the language elements needed to tie together the information in the database.
  C. Relational systems pay more attention to retrieving data and making it accessible to the user.
  D. Both B and C
  The correct answer is D.
Relational database systems, the foundation for the SQL language and its capabilities, are built to be more accessible, and are much more contained, typically having only one physical file on disk that contains the database and index files.

3. Which of these predicates are propositions?
Please select the best answer.
  A. The sun is made of orange juice
  B. y + x > y
  C. There exists a database management system that is truly relational
  D. 5 is an even number
  The correct answer is B.
Predicate. It is equivalent to the predicate x > 0.

4. What distinguishes a relational database from a flat-file database?
Please select the best answer.
  A. Relational databases store data in a single table, whereas flat-file databases store data across multiple related tables.
  B. Relational databases cannot support complex queries and relationships, unlike flat-file databases.
  C. Relational databases organize data into tables with rows and columns, with the ability to establish relationships between tables, unlike flat-file databases which typically consist of a single table.
  D. Flat-file databases require structured query language (SQL) for data manipulation, whereas relational databases do not
  The correct answer is C.
Relational databases organize data into tables with rows and columns, with the ability to establish relationships between tables, unlike flat-file databases which typically consist of a single table.
Explanation: Relational databases are designed to store, manage, and retrieve data in a structured format, using tables that consist of rows and columns. The key feature of relational databases is their ability to establish relationships between different tables through the use of keys (primary keys and foreign keys). This capability allows for the efficient organization and retrieval of related data across multiple tables, facilitating complex queries and data analysis.
In contrast, flat-file databases are much simpler, typically storing data in a single table or file. This format is suitable for storing simple lists or limited data sets where relationships between different data items are not required or are minimal. Flat-file databases do not inherently support the complex structuring or relational queries possible with relational databases, making them less suitable for managing large or complex data sets with interrelated data.