The school stores all the information of the learners in a database with multiple tables - NSC Information Technology - Question 4 - 2023 - Paper 2

A requirement of a primary key is that it cannot have a null value. This means every record must have a valid value for the primary key in order to maintain data integrity.

The design error in the table is data redundancy in the Teacher field. For example, if a teacher is replaced, their name must be updated in every record, which can lead to inconsistencies.

To resolve this design error, we can create a separate table for the Teacher and RegisterClass fields. This would normalize the database structure by linking these tables to the tblLearners table through foreign keys, reducing redundancy and potential anomalies.

Validation ensures that the data entered into a system is acceptable and fulfills specific criteria, while verification ensures the correctness of the data against its source. Although validation checks for format and presence, it does not guarantee factual accuracy, thus the need for verification remains.

The programming language mostly used to extract data from a database is SQL (Structured Query Language).

A typical scenario requiring a server-based database is when multiple users at various locations need simultaneous access to a shared database. A server-based database allows for this by enabling concurrent connections and centralized data management, ensuring that all users can access and update the database as needed.

An audit trail enhances data security by tracking what changes were made, when they were made, and by whom. This accountability helps prevent unauthorized actions and supports data integrity.

An alternative method to enhance security is to implement access controls, including setting permissions and access levels based on user roles. This could include password protection, biometric authentication, or limitations on what data can be accessed by different users, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access.