GISCI Database Design & Management Practice Exam

An attribute domain refers to the set of allowable values that can be assigned to a particular attribute in a database. This concept is essential for maintaining data integrity because it defines the constraints on the type of data that can be stored in a specific field, ensuring that only valid data is entered. For example, if an attribute in a database is meant to store ages, the attribute domain could specify that only numeric values within a certain range (such as 0 to 120) are acceptable. By establishing these limits, attribute domains help prevent data entry errors and ensure the overall quality and reliability of the data within the system.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of an attribute domain. A collection of all attributes in a database describes the overall structure but does not address the specific constraints of values for those attributes. The physical representation of data in storage pertains to how data is organized in terms of storage and hardware, which is unrelated to allowable values. The software used to manage the database is important for operations but does not define the constraints of attributes themselves.