Question

Which of the following is NOT true regarding primary keys?

1) The primary key field is the field that identifies each record in a table.
2) When you define a primary key for a table, the field can be left blank until you have the opportunity to enter the data.
3) A common way of defining a primary key is to use a field specifically designed to identify the entity.
4) A numeric key is often assigned an AutoNumber data type that Access will fill as the data is entered.

Answer 1

Statement 2) "When you define a primary key for a table, the field can be left blank until you have the opportunity to enter the data." is NOT true regarding primary keys, as they cannot be left blank and must uniquely identify each record.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the characteristics of primary keys in database tables. To answer the question: the statement that is NOT true about primary keys is option 2) "When you define a primary key for a table, the field can be left blank until you have the opportunity to enter the data." Primary keys must be unique and cannot be left blank; they must have a value to ensure that each record can be uniquely identified.

A primary key indeed identifies each record in a table (option 1) and is often a field specifically designed to do so (option 3). Option 4 is also true; a numeric primary key could be assigned an AutoNumber data type in database systems like Access, where it is automatically filled in as new data is entered.