[Year 12 IT Apps] Info exam A13 - underlining carelessness

[Mark]

A worthy colleague has reminded me that the underlined fields may well be
acting as a multi-field primary key for the appointments table!

That is technically feasible. Grrr.

But why would *anyone* in their right mind create a multiple-field
key after all we've learned about 2NF problems?

It's just dumb database design!

I never even *consider* using multiple-field keys, any more than I would
consider checking for gas leaks by striking a match.

All right. I withdraw my complaint about the redundant underlining, and
replace it with a complaint about setting a bad example to impressionable
young database designers.

Any depiction of multiple-field keys in exams should be accompanied by
compulsory health warnings.

Regards,
Mark



On 22 November 2016 at 12:52, Mark <mark at vceit.com> wrote:

> Again, apologies if this has been brought up before, but
>
> Awwww.....A13 was going SO well.
>
> It cunningly tested both knowledge of relationships and 3NF in one hit.
>
> I was *just* about to award the question a Stamp Of Approval when I
> noticed something...
>
> Why are AppointmentDate and AppointmentTime fields *underlined* as if
> they were keys? The only other underlined fields are keys.
>
> That is just really sloppy proof-reading that leads to inconsistencies
> that confuse the poor students.
>
> --
>
> Mark Kelly
>
> mark at vceit.com
> http://vceit.com
>



-- 

Mark Kelly

mark at vceit.com
http://vceit.com
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