Answer
Missing foreign keys:
- Prevent automatic referential integrity
- Hurt query optimization because relationships are unknown
- Cause poor join strategy selection
Quick Answer
Missing foreign keys mean the database won't prevent orphaned rows — orders with no customer, invoice lines with no invoice. The application must enforce referential integrity, and if it misses a case, the data silently corrupts. Missing FKs also remove optimizer hints — SQL Server uses FK metadata to simplify join plans.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ