What does the term 'domain' refer to in data management?

What does the term 'domain' refer to in data management?

• A. A list of possible entity instances
• B. The complete set of possible values for an attribute
• C. Unique constraints on data types
• D. The overall structure of the database

Answer: (B)

The term 'domain' in data management refers to the complete set of possible values for an attribute. This concept is fundamental in data modeling and database design, as it defines the allowable values that can be assigned to a specific attribute within a database. For example, if an attribute is defined to hold the values of a person's age, its domain could be restricted to integers within a specific range, such as 0 to 120. By clearly establishing the domain of an attribute, data integrity is maintained, ensuring that only valid data is entered into the database. In this context, the concept of domains helps in enforcing data quality and consistency. It facilitates better data validation checks, preventing invalid data from being inputted and maintaining the overall integrity of the database. Thus, recognizing and defining domains is crucial for effective data management practices.

The term 'domain' in data management refers to the complete set of possible values for an attribute. This concept is fundamental in data modeling and database design, as it defines the allowable values that can be assigned to a specific attribute within a database. For example, if an attribute is defined to hold the values of a person's age, its domain could be restricted to integers within a specific range, such as 0 to 120. By clearly establishing the domain of an attribute, data integrity is maintained, ensuring that only valid data is entered into the database.

In this context, the concept of domains helps in enforcing data quality and consistency. It facilitates better data validation checks, preventing invalid data from being inputted and maintaining the overall integrity of the database. Thus, recognizing and defining domains is crucial for effective data management practices.