Databases & Data Storage
Data Integrity
Definition
Data integrity is the maintenance of, and the assurance of the accuracy and consistency of, data over its entire life-cycle. It is a critical aspect to the design, implementation and usage of any system which stores, processes, or retrieves data.
Why It Matters
Without data integrity, a database is useless. It ensures that the data is reliable and trustworthy, which is essential for any application.
Contextual Example
A database can enforce data integrity using various constraints. A `NOT NULL` constraint ensures a value must be present. A `UNIQUE` constraint prevents duplicate values. A `FOREIGN KEY` constraint ensures referential integrity between tables.
Common Misunderstandings
- ACID properties in a transactional database are designed to guarantee data integrity.
- It is different from data security, which is about protecting data from unauthorized access. Data integrity is about protecting data from corruption.