Relational databases: record

The idea

In a relational database, a record is one complete row of a table. It stores all the field values that belong to a single entity, such as one customer, one product or one booking. Each field in the record holds one attribute, for example a customer ID, a surname and an email address, and the record groups those values together under the table's field headings. A record is therefore distinct from a field, which is a single column of one data item, and from a table, which is the whole collection of records. Records are identified by a primary key, a field whose value is unique for each record, so no two records share the same key value.

What earns the marks

• States that a record is a single row in a table holding the data for one entity.
• Explains that a record contains values for each of the fields defined in the table.
• Distinguishes a record from a field, which is a single column holding one attribute.
• Identifies that each record is uniquely identified by a primary key value.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confuses a record with a field.

  Put it right by explaining that a field is one column while a record is one full row.

• Describes a record as the whole table.

  Put it right by stating that a table is a collection of many records.

• Claims that any field can act as a primary key.

  Put it right by requiring a field whose value is unique for every record.

Exam tips

• Use the row-versus-column contrast to keep record and field clearly separate in your answer.
• Link the record to one entity such as one customer so the meaning is concrete.
• Mention the primary key when asked how records are identified, since uniqueness is the key idea.