How does deleting a parent record differ between a master-detail relationship and a lookup relationship when related child records exist?
- AIn both relationship types the child records are automatically deleted along with the parent record.
- BIn both relationship types the child records are retained and the relationship field is simply cleared.
- CIn a master-detail relationship the child (detail) records are deleted with the parent, whereas in a lookup relationship the children are retained by default. Correct
- DIn a lookup relationship the child records are deleted with the parent, whereas in a master-detail relationship they are retained.
Why A is wrong: This is tempting because both relationships link a child to a parent, but only master-detail cascades the delete. A lookup does not delete its child records by default.
Why B is wrong: This describes only the lookup behaviour. In a master-detail relationship the detail records cannot survive without their master, so they are cascade-deleted rather than retained.
Why C is correct: Master-detail is a tightly coupled relationship where the detail record cannot exist without its master, so deleting the master cascades the delete to the children, while a standard lookup leaves the child records in place.
Why D is wrong: This reverses the two behaviours. Cascade delete belongs to master-detail because of its tight coupling, not to the loosely coupled lookup relationship.