This document defines and describes different types of keys used in relational databases, including super keys, candidate keys, primary keys, and foreign keys. It provides examples to illustrate each type of key. Super keys are fields that uniquely identify records, candidate keys are minimal super keys, primary keys are chosen candidate keys, and foreign keys link two tables based on matching primary keys. The document explains the properties and purposes of each key type for structuring database tables and enforcing integrity.

1. Key
DBMS
Prepared By: Bikash Sapkota
Deerwalk Ins. Of Technology
Kathmandu, Nepal

2. Introduction
 Keys(Name clearly define)
A key part of a relational database and a vital part of the structure of
a table. They ensure each record within a table can be uniquely
identified by one or a combination of fields within the table. They help
enforce integrity and help identify the relationship between tables.

3. Keys
 Super Key
 Candidate Key
 Primary Key

4. Super Key
 A Super key is any combination of fields within a table that uniquely
identifies each record within that table.

5. Book
Book ID Name Author
B1 Xyz A1
B2 ABC A1
B3 XYZ A2
B4 PQR A3
B5 RST A1
B6 ABC A3

6. Candidate Key
 Candidate key is a subset of super key
 A candidate key is a single field or the least combination of fields that
uniquely identifies each record in table
 The least combination of fields distinguishes a candidate key from a
super key.
 Every table must have at least one candidate
 Properties
 Unique
 Not null
 Contains minimum number of fields to ensure uniqueness
 Must uniquely identify each record in the table

7. Book ID Name Author
B1 XYZ A!
B2 ABC A1
B3 XYZ A2
B4 PQR A3
B5 RST A1
B6 ABC A3
Name BookId Author Name Author

8. Primary Key
 It is a candidate key
 Uniquely identify a specific instance of an entity
 Primary key cannot contain any Null value because we cannot
uniquely identify multiple Null values.
 Properties
 Stable
 Minimal
 Definitive
 Accessible

9. Book ID Name Author
B1 Xyz A!
B2 ABC A1
B3 XYZ A2
B4 PQR A3
B5 RST A1
B6 ABC A3
Book ID Name Author

10.  CREATE TABLE Persons
(
P_Id int NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
LastName varchar(255) NOT NULL,
FirstName varchar(255),
Address varchar(255),
City varchar(255)
);
 CREATE TABLE Person
(
P_Id int NOT NULL,
LastName varchar(255) NOT NULL,
FirstName varchar(255),
Address varchar(255),
City varchar(255),
CONSTRAINT pk_PersonID PRIMARY KEY (P_Id,LastName)
);

11. Foreign Key
 Foreign key is a field in a relational table that matches the primary
key column of another table.
 It can be used to link two tables together

12.  CREATE TABLE supplier
 ( supplier_id numeric(10) not null,
 supplier_name varchar2(50) not null,
 contact_name varchar2(50),
 CONSTRAINT supplier_pk PRIMARY KEY (supplier_id)
 );
 CREATE TABLE products
 ( product_id numeric(10) not null,
 supplier_id numeric(10) not null,
 CONSTRAINT fk_supplier
 FOREIGN KEY (supplier_id)
 REFERENCES supplier(supplier_id)
 );

13. Remaining
Alternate Key
Remaining candidate key which are not selected as primary key
Composite Key
Primary key made up of more than one attribute