A large e-commerce website experiences slow query performance due to a massive volume of customer data. What relational schema design technique could you employ to optimize storage and enhance query performance?
- Denormalization
- Indexing
- Normalization
- Sharding
In this scenario, to enhance query performance, denormalization can be employed. Denormalization involves introducing redundancy in the database design to reduce the number of joins, leading to faster query execution. It's especially useful when dealing with read-heavy workloads and large datasets.
An attribute is said to be _______ if it is dependent on the primary key, as well as on some other attribute(s) within the same table.
- Composite
- Derived
- Multivalued
- Transitive
An attribute is said to be Transitive if it is dependent on the primary key, as well as on some other attribute(s) within the same table. This situation is resolved by normalization to reduce redundancy.
_______ is the highest level of normalization that a relational database can achieve.
- Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)
- Fifth Normal Form (5NF)
- Fourth Normal Form (4NF)
- Third Normal Form (3NF)
Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) is the highest level of normalization that a relational database can achieve. It ensures that there are no non-trivial functional dependencies of attributes on the primary key.
In relational schema design, a _______ key uniquely identifies a record within a table.
- Candidate
- Composite
- Foreign
- Primary
In relational schema design, a primary key uniquely identifies a record within a table. It serves as a unique identifier for each row and ensures data integrity in the table.
Database design tools help users visualize the database schema through _______.
- Code and Scripts
- Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD)
- Graphs and Charts
- Tables and Fields
Database design tools like MySQL Workbench or Microsoft Visio use Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD) to help users visualize the database schema. ERDs illustrate the relationships between entities and their attributes, aiding in the understanding and planning of the database structure.
Scenario: A large e-commerce website stores millions of product records in its database. Customers frequently search for products based on categories, brands, and price ranges. How would you design indexes to optimize search performance for this scenario?
- Avoid indexing for better insert performance
- Create composite indexes on category, brand, and price columns
- Implement a full-text search index for keyword searches
- Use a single index on the product ID column
In this scenario, creating composite indexes on the frequently searched columns like category, brand, and price would optimize search performance. Composite indexes cover multiple columns and are efficient for queries involving those columns.
What are the advantages of using Data Marts over Data Warehouses in certain scenarios?
- Data Marts are easier to scale horizontally
- Data Marts are more cost-effective for large-scale data
- Data Marts are suitable for specific business departments
- Data Marts provide real-time analytics
In certain scenarios, Data Marts offer advantages over Data Warehouses by focusing on specific business departments. This targeted approach allows for quicker implementations and more tailored solutions, making them efficient for specific analytical needs.
What is the primary goal of denormalization in database design?
- Ensure data consistency
- Minimize storage space
- Normalize data
- Optimize for read operations
The primary goal of denormalization in database design is to optimize for read operations. It involves intentionally introducing redundancy to simplify queries and improve performance, especially for read-heavy applications.
Which data structure is commonly used for indexing in databases?
- Linked List
- Queue
- Stack
- Tree
In databases, the most common data structure used for indexing is a tree structure, particularly a B-tree or a variant like B+ tree. These structures provide efficient searching and retrieval of data, making them suitable for indexing purposes.
The second normal form (2NF) eliminates _______ dependencies.
- Composite
- Multivalued
- Partial
- Transitive
The second normal form (2NF) eliminates Partial dependencies. In 2NF, every non-prime attribute is fully functionally dependent on the primary key, addressing issues where only part of the primary key determines some non-prime attributes.
Scenario: In a social media platform, users can follow other users. However, a user cannot follow themselves. How would you enforce this constraint in the database?
- Check Constraint
- Foreign Key Constraint
- Primary Key Constraint
- Unique Constraint
To prevent a user from following themselves on a social media platform, you would use a Check Constraint. This constraint allows you to specify a condition, ensuring that the value in the follow relationship does not match the user's own ID.
How does a Snowflake Schema differ from a Star Schema in terms of complexity?
- Both have the same complexity
- Complexity depends on the implementation
- Snowflake Schema is more complex
- Star Schema is more complex
A Snowflake Schema is generally considered more complex than a Star Schema. In a Snowflake Schema, Dimension Tables are normalized, leading to more relationships and potentially more joins in queries. This normalization can add complexity to the schema design and make queries more intricate compared to the denormalized structure of a Star Schema.