key field


key field

[′kē ‚fēld] (computer science) A field in a segment or record that holds the value of a key to that record.

key field

(database)A field of a database (typically a relational database) table which together form a unique identifier fora record (a table entry). The aggregate of these fields isusually referred to simply as "the key".

key field

A field in a record that holds unique data which identifies that record from all the other records in the file or database. Account number, product code and customer name are typical key fields. As an identifier, each key value must be unique in each record. See sort key.