What is the primary risk when normalization controls are disabled in a database for performance improvement?

What is the primary risk when normalization controls are disabled in a database for performance improvement?

• A. Loss of audit trails
• B. Duplicate indexes
• C. Data redundancy
• D. Unauthorized access to data

Answer: (C)

When normalization controls are disabled in a database with the intention of improving performance, the primary risk associated with this action is data redundancy. Normalization is a database design process that organizes data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. By normalizing a database, relationships among data are defined in such a way that the same piece of data is not duplicated across multiple tables. Disabling normalization can lead to situations where the same data is stored in multiple locations, which not only consumes additional storage but also makes data management and updates more complex. For example, if a user's contact information is stored in multiple tables and an update is made to one instance but not the others, this can lead to inconsistencies. Problems like these can significantly undermine the reliability of the data within the database, leading to increased maintenance efforts and the potential for errors. Understanding data redundancy emphasizes the importance of structured data management in database design. While other risks, such as loss of audit trails, duplicate indexes, and unauthorized access to data, are relevant concerns within database management, they do not specifically arise from the impact of disabling normalization controls in the same direct manner that data redundancy does. Thus, focusing on redundancy provides insight into the broader implications of database normalization practices.

When normalization controls are disabled in a database with the intention of improving performance, the primary risk associated with this action is data redundancy. Normalization is a database design process that organizes data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. By normalizing a database, relationships among data are defined in such a way that the same piece of data is not duplicated across multiple tables.

Disabling normalization can lead to situations where the same data is stored in multiple locations, which not only consumes additional storage but also makes data management and updates more complex. For example, if a user's contact information is stored in multiple tables and an update is made to one instance but not the others, this can lead to inconsistencies. Problems like these can significantly undermine the reliability of the data within the database, leading to increased maintenance efforts and the potential for errors.

Understanding data redundancy emphasizes the importance of structured data management in database design. While other risks, such as loss of audit trails, duplicate indexes, and unauthorized access to data, are relevant concerns within database management, they do not specifically arise from the impact of disabling normalization controls in the same direct manner that data redundancy does. Thus, focusing on redundancy provides insight into the broader implications of database normalization practices.