Which statement best describes a relational database?

Which statement best describes a relational database?

• A. Includes multiple tables
• B. Each table contains a single subject
• C. Tables are joined by relationships
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

A relational database organizes data into related tables, with each table representing a specific subject and rows as records, columns as attributes. This structure relies on multiple tables to model different entities—such as customers, orders, or devices—so data is stored in a clean, organized way rather than lumped into a single wide table. Each table being focused on a single subject supports data integrity and easier maintenance through normalization. The power comes from the relationships between tables, implemented with keys (primary and foreign) that let you join tables to retrieve connected data across the database. Because a relational database combines these three features—multiple tables, each table focusing on a single subject, and clear relationships between them—the description that covers all of these characteristics best captures what a relational database is. In ITOM contexts, this is evident in CMDBs and other asset repositories where different configuration items are stored in related tables and linked to show how they interact.

A relational database organizes data into related tables, with each table representing a specific subject and rows as records, columns as attributes. This structure relies on multiple tables to model different entities—such as customers, orders, or devices—so data is stored in a clean, organized way rather than lumped into a single wide table. Each table being focused on a single subject supports data integrity and easier maintenance through normalization. The power comes from the relationships between tables, implemented with keys (primary and foreign) that let you join tables to retrieve connected data across the database. Because a relational database combines these three features—multiple tables, each table focusing on a single subject, and clear relationships between them—the description that covers all of these characteristics best captures what a relational database is. In ITOM contexts, this is evident in CMDBs and other asset repositories where different configuration items are stored in related tables and linked to show how they interact.