Database Performance Tuning: Enhance Database Efficiency

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT directly involved in affecting the performance of a database?

Accepted Answer

Network latency

Answer

Hardware capacity

Answer

Database design

Answer

Query complexity

Question 2

What's the main goal of database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Faster data retrieval

Answer

Less storage space

Answer

Protected data

Answer

Secure data

Question 3

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly impact database performance?

Accepted Answer

Network reliability

Answer

Hardware specifications

Answer

Database design and structure

Answer

User queries and workload

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of indexing in a database management system?

Accepted Answer

To significantly improve query execution speed

Answer

To enhance data security

Answer

To minimize storage space consumption

Answer

To guarantee data integrity

Question 5

Which of the following SQL statements represents a join operation?

Accepted Answer

SELECT * FROM table1 JOIN table2 ON table1.id = table2.id

Answer

SELECT * FROM table1

Answer

UPDATE table1 SET name = 'John' WHERE id = 2

Answer

DELETE FROM table1 WHERE id = 3

Question 6

What is the primary function of a database buffer pool?

Accepted Answer

To cache frequently accessed data for quicker retrieval

Answer

To manage user connections to the database

Answer

To optimize query execution plans

Answer

To provide backup and recovery functionality

Question 7

What is the key distinction between a clustered index and a non-clustered index?

Accepted Answer

Clustered index physically sorts data based on the index order, while non-clustered index does not

Answer

Non-clustered index physically sorts data based on the index order, while clustered index does not

Answer

Clustered index is always unique, while non-clustered index can be non-unique

Answer

Non-clustered index is always unique, while clustered index can be non-unique

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of a foreign key constraint?

Accepted Answer

To ensure referential integrity and maintain data consistency across tables

Answer

To enhance query performance

Answer

To prevent duplicate data from being inserted

Answer

To enforce data standardization

Question 9

Which database normalization form ensures that every non-key attribute is fully dependent on the entire primary key?

Accepted Answer

Boyce-Codd normal form (BCNF)

Answer

First normal form (1NF)

Answer

Second normal form (2NF)

Answer

Third normal form (3NF)

Question 10

What is a key advantage of utilizing a materialized view?

Accepted Answer

Improved query performance for frequently executed queries

Answer

Reduced storage space requirements

Answer

Enhanced data security

Answer

Improved data integrity

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for optimizing database queries?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing subqueries instead of joins

Answer

Appropriate use of indexes

Answer

Avoiding unnecessary joins

Answer

Limiting the number of retrieved columns

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a critical purpose of database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteeing data security

Answer

Reducing query execution times

Answer

Optimizing resource utilization

Answer

Enhancing index effectiveness

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of an index in a relational database?

Accepted Answer

Accelerate data retrieval

Answer

Enforce data integrity

Answer

Minimize storage space

Answer

Establish relationships between tables

Question 14

Which SQL statement is used to analyze query execution plans?

Accepted Answer

EXPLAIN

Answer

ANALYZE

Answer

SHOWPLAN

Answer

OPTIMIZE

Question 15

What is the key distinction between a clustered index and a non-clustered index?

Accepted Answer

Clustered indexes physically group data by the indexed column values, while non-clustered indexes do not.

Answer

Non-clustered indexes physically group data by the indexed column values, while clustered indexes do not.

Answer

Clustered indexes can only be created on primary keys, whereas non-clustered indexes can be created on any column.

Answer

Non-clustered indexes can only be created on primary keys, whereas clustered indexes can be created on any column.

Question 16

What is the primary responsibility of a database optimizer?

Accepted Answer

Generating efficient execution plans for SQL queries

Answer

Creating and managing database indexes

Answer

Monitoring and tuning database performance

Answer

Ensuring data integrity and consistency

Question 17

Which SQL statement syntax is correct for creating a composite index?

Accepted Answer

CREATE INDEX ON table_name (column1, column2)

Answer

CREATE INDEX ON table_name (column1) WITH (SORT_ORDER = ASC, SORT_ORDER = DESC)

Answer

CREATE INDEX ON table_name (column1) WITH (PRIMARY KEY)

Answer

CREATE INDEX ON table_name (column1) WITH (UNIQUE)

Question 18

What is the primary reason for creating indexes in a database?

Accepted Answer

To improve query performance by providing direct access to data records

Answer

To enforce data integrity

Answer

To reduce storage space

Answer

To facilitate data recovery in case of system failures

Question 19

Which of the following query optimization techniques is effective at reducing the number of disk accesses?

Accepted Answer

Index utilization

Answer

Cache utilization

Answer

Denormalization

Answer

Materialized views

Question 20

What is the primary role of a database optimizer in performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Generating optimal query execution plans

Answer

Monitoring system resources and adjusting tuning parameters

Answer

Providing recommendations for index creation and maintenance

Answer

Detecting and resolving database deadlocks

Question 21

What is the advantage of using histograms in database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Providing an estimation of data distribution, which aids in query optimization

Answer

Improving the efficiency of query optimization

Answer

Reducing the need for frequent index maintenance

Answer

Increasing the speed of data retrieval directly

Question 22

Which approach to database performance tuning is generally recommended?

Accepted Answer

Adopting a systematic approach involving monitoring, analysis, and iterative tuning

Answer

Prioritizing query optimization followed by other techniques

Answer

Focusing primarily on hardware upgrades before software optimizations

Answer

Assigning tuning tasks solely to specialized database administrators

Question 23

Which of the following is a typical performance issue caused by poorly designed indexes?

Accepted Answer

Slow query execution time

Answer

Data inconsistency

Answer

Increased storage space requirements

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of normalization in database design?

Accepted Answer

Reducing data redundancy and improving data consistency

Answer

Improving data security and enhancing data integrity

Question 25

Which of the following is an advantage of using materialized views in a database?

Accepted Answer

Reduced query execution time

Answer

Increased data security

Answer

Improved data integrity

Question 26

What is the main objective of database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Optimizing database efficiency and performance

Answer

Reducing data storage costs

Answer

Enhancing data security

Answer

Simplifying database management tasks

Question 27

What is the primary function of an index in a database?

Accepted Answer

Speeding up data retrieval and improving query performance

Answer

Enforcing data constraints and ensuring data integrity

Answer

Reducing storage space requirements by compressing data

Question 28

What differentiates a primary key from a foreign key in a database?

Accepted Answer

A primary key uniquely identifies a record, while a foreign key references another table's primary key

Answer

A foreign key uniquely identifies a record, while a primary key references another table's foreign key

Question 29

What is the main objective of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Improving data integrity and reducing data redundancy

Answer

Enhancing database performance and scalability

Question 30

For enhancing the performance of range queries, which index type is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

B-tree

Answer

Hash

Answer

Bitmap

Answer

Function-based

Question 31

Which of the following is an advantage of utilizing materialized views?

Accepted Answer

Diminished query execution time

Answer

Enhanced data consistency

Answer

Optimized storage utilization

Answer

Improved concurrency control

Question 32

In the context of database performance tuning, what is the purpose of a histogram?

Accepted Answer

To guide index selection by analyzing data distribution

Answer

To detect slow-performing queries

Answer

To identify data integrity issues

Answer

To optimize table partitioning

Question 33

What is the fundamental purpose of a database index?

Accepted Answer

Acceleration of data retrieval

Answer

Ensuring data integrity

Answer

Reduction of storage space

Answer

Enhancement of data security

Question 34

What is the primary role of a query optimizer?

Accepted Answer

Generating efficient execution plans for SQL queries

Answer

Storing data in the database

Answer

Creating database indexes

Question 35

What is the main objective of database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of database operations

Answer

Increasing the storage capacity of the database

Answer

Preventing data loss

Question 36

Which practice is essential for optimizing query performance?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing appropriate indexes

Answer

Reducing the size of the database

Answer

Increasing the number of database connections

Answer

Disabling database logging

Question 37

What key distinction exists between a clustered and a non-clustered index?

Accepted Answer

A clustered index physically sorts table data, while a non-clustered index maintains a separate structure mapping data values to row locations.

Answer

A clustered index is used for primary keys, while a non-clustered index is used for foreign keys.

Question 38

What is a primary benefit of utilizing a database performance tuning tool?

Accepted Answer

Automatic identification of performance bottlenecks

Answer

Manual tweaking of database parameters

Answer

Increased database security

Question 39

What is a common cause of suboptimal database performance?

Accepted Answer

Unoptimized queries

Answer

Faulty hardware

Answer

Insufficient user permissions

Answer

Malware infection

Question 40

Which of the following is a crucial factor to consider when optimizing database performance?

Accepted Answer

Query optimization

Answer

Logical data modeling

Answer

Comprehensive user training

Answer

Hardware enhancements

Question 41

For range queries, which index type is the most suitable?

Accepted Answer

B-tree index

Answer

Bitmap index

Answer

Full-text index

Answer

Hash index

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of utilizing a query cache?

Accepted Answer

Increased memory consumption

Answer

Alleviated load on database server

Answer

Reduced query execution time

Answer

Optimized query response time

Question 43

What is the fundamental purpose of database normalization?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating data redundancy and ensuring data integrity.

Answer

Enhancing database performance

Answer

Simplifying database design

Question 44

Which tool is primarily used to monitor database performance?

Accepted Answer

Database profiler

Answer

Presentation software

Answer

Text editor

Answer

Spreadsheet software

Question 45

What is the primary role of a database optimizer in performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing queries to generate an optimal execution plan.

Answer

Rewriting queries for improved efficiency.

Answer

Monitoring database activity and identifying performance bottlenecks.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a recommended best practice for database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring performance issues until they become critical.

Answer

Regular performance monitoring and analysis

Answer

Judicious application of indexes

Question 47

**Improved Clarity:** Which of the following is NOT a primary objective of database performance tuning?

Accepted Answer

Minimizing the physical size of the database.

Answer

Improving the efficiency of retrieving specific pieces of data.

Answer

Allowing more users to access the database simultaneously.

Answer

Reducing the time required to run queries.

Question 48

**Improved Clarity:** What is the main purpose of using indexing in a database?

Accepted Answer

To accelerate the retrieval of data by offering a sorted and organized access path.

Answer

To prevent data repetition.

Answer

To minimize the file size of the database.

Question 49

**Improved Clarity:** Which is a commonly encountered performance bottleneck in database systems?

Accepted Answer

Inefficient query execution plans.

Answer

Excess database server memory.

Answer

Frequent database backups.

Answer

Excessive usage of triggers.

Question 50

**Improved Clarity:** For troubleshooting a query that is performing slowly, which tool would you employ to analyze the execution plan of the query?

Accepted Answer

Query Optimizer or Query Analyzer (Depending on the database system).

Answer

Data Manipulation Language (DML).

Answer

Database Backup and Restore Utility.

Answer

Data Definition Language (DDL).

Question 51

**Improved Distraction:** Which database normalization form places a high priority on eliminating data redundancy and maintaining data integrity?

Accepted Answer

Third Normal Form (3NF).

Answer

Second Normal Form (2NF).

Answer

Fourth Normal Form (4NF).

Answer

First Normal Form (1NF).

Question 52

**Improved Clarity:** What is the fundamental difference between clustered and non-clustered indexes?

Accepted Answer

Clustered indexes physically arrange data rows based on the index key, while non-clustered indexes build a separate structure that points to the data rows.

Answer

Clustered indexes have faster retrieval speeds than non-clustered indexes.

Question 53

**Improved Clarity:** How can the utilization of stored procedures contribute to better database performance?

Accepted Answer

By pre-compiling SQL commands, reducing parsing overhead, and enhancing execution speeds.

Answer

By automatically encrypting data, increasing security and performance.

Answer

By reducing the size of the database file, thereby improving storage efficiency and performance.

Question 54

**Improved Distraction:** Which strategy is particularly effective for optimizing query performance in the context of frequently executed reports?

Accepted Answer

Materialized views.

Answer

Database replication.

Answer

Database logging.

Answer

Triggers.

Question 55

**Improved Clarity:** Which database configuration option primarily controls the amount of memory allocated for caching database objects?

Accepted Answer

Buffer Pool Size.

Answer

Log File Size.

Answer

Maximum Connections.

Question 56

**Improved Distraction:** You are experiencing regular database lock conflicts during peak usage times. Which performance tuning technique can help resolve this issue?

Accepted Answer

Adjusting the database lock timeout settings.

Answer

Reducing the size of the database.

Answer

Enforcing a single, shared connection for all queries.

Answer

Disabling foreign key constraints.