Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

What is the most common form of database?

1. Flat-file database

2. Hierarchical database

3. Relational database

4. NoSQL database

The correct answer is: Relational database

The most common form of database is indeed the relational database. This type of database organizes data into tables, which are defined by rows and columns, allowing for clear relationships between the data. This structure makes it easy to manage, retrieve, and manipulate large amounts of data efficiently using a structured query language (SQL). The relational model also supports integrity constraints and provides a robust way to enforce data consistency and reduce redundancy, which are critical for business applications and operations. While flat-file databases store data in a single table with no relationships, hierarchical databases organize data in a tree-like structure, which can limit flexibility and the ability to handle complex queries. NoSQL databases offer a different approach suited for unstructured data and high scalability but are not as widely adopted as relational databases for traditional business-oriented applications. Thus, the popularity of relational databases stems from their versatility, ease of use, and strong foundation for data integrity and operations.