Which statement is true about tablespaces?

Question

Options

• AAll tablespace files must be in the directory specified by the --datadir option.
• BGeneral tablespaces can be configured to span multiple files.
• CAll tables must be in either the system tablespace or a general tablespace.
• DThe system tablespace can be configured to span multiple files.

• B
  6% (2)
• C
  91% (29)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

There appears to be an error in the answer key - D is the correct answer, not C.

Why D is correct: The InnoDB system tablespace can span multiple files. You configure this via the innodb_data_file_path variable (e.g., ibdata1:512M;ibdata2:512M:autoextend), allowing the system tablespace to grow across several physical files.

Why the other options are wrong:

• A is false - tablespace files (especially general and file-per-table tablespaces) can be placed in directories other than --datadir.
• B is false - general tablespaces are single-file; they cannot span multiple files.
• C is false - this is the most important one to note: tables can also reside in file-per-table tablespaces (the default when innodb_file_per_table=ON), so it's not true that all tables must be in the system or general tablespace.

Memory tip: Think "System = Spans" - the System tablespace is the one that can Span multiple files. General tablespaces are general-purpose but limited to one file. And remember that file-per-table is a third valid home for tables, making option C a trap.

You may want to flag this question to your instructor, as the marked answer (C) appears to be incorrect.

No community discussion yet for this question.