We use the following terms to explain the referential integrity concept.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Parent Table | The table referred to by a Child table. Also called the “referenced table.” |
Child Table | A table in which the referential constraints are defined. Also called the “referencing table.” |
Parent Key | A candidate key in the parent table. |
Primary Key | With respect to referential integrity, a primary key is a parent table column set that is referred to by a foreign key column set in a child table. |
Foreign Key | With respect to referential integrity, a foreign key is a child table column set that refers to a primary key column set in a parent table. |