Final answer:
Records in databases can be of fixed length or variable length. Fixed length records provide predictability in storage, while variable length records offer flexibility in data storage size.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. Records can be of both fixed length or variable length. Fixed length records are those where each record is the same size, which simplifies the process of record retrieval by providing predictable locations for each record in storage.
On the other hand, variable length records allow for more flexibility, as each record can consume only as much space as is needed for its particular content. This is useful for data that may have a significant amount of variation in the size of its contents, such as strings of text or multimedia data.
The statement 'Records may only be of fixed length' is False. Records can be of either fixed length or variable length. Fixed-length records have a predetermined length that does not change, while variable-length records can vary in length.
The choice of record length depends on the specific requirements of the data being stored. For example, in a database, a record that stores customer information could have a fixed length if all the fields are of a known size, while a record that stores comments made by customers could have a variable length as the length of the comments can vary.