Relational Database Fundamentals
4 Topics
1
Data, Databases, and DBMS
Foundations of databases and Database Management Systems.
Interviewers test whether candidates understand the distinction between data, databases, and DBMS software — a foundational concept that underpins every subsequent topic in database engineering.
2
Understanding RDBMS
What makes a database system relational.
Understanding what "relational" actually means — and how RDBMS differs from other database types — is tested in architecture discussions and system design rounds at senior levels.
3
Tables, Rows, and Columns
The anatomical layout of relational spreadsheets.
Interviewers test whether you can articulate the precise meaning of tables, tuples, attributes, and domains — and how they map to real-world business entities.
4
Keys and Relationships
How primary keys and foreign keys link entities together.
Key design and relationship modeling are core system design interview topics. Interviewers evaluate your ability to choose appropriate primary keys and model relationships correctly (one-to-many, many-to-many).