What is Data Integrity

Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data stored in a database. It ensures that the data is valid, correct, and complete according to predefined rules, standards, and constraints. Data integrity is crucial for maintaining the quality and trustworthiness of data throughout its lifecycle. Here are some key aspects of data integrity:- 

1. Accuracy:-  Data accuracy refers to the correctness and precision of the data values stored in the database. Accurate data reflects the real-world entities it represents without errors or inconsistencies.

2. Completeness:-  Data completeness ensures that all required data is present and available in the database without any missing or incomplete information. Missing or incomplete data can lead to incorrect analysis and decision-making.

3. Consistency:-  Data consistency ensures that data remains synchronized and coherent across different parts of the database. It prevents conflicts and contradictions between related data elements.

4. Validity:-  Data validity refers to the adherence of data to predefined rules, constraints, and standards. Valid data meets specified criteria, such as data type constraints, domain constraints, and business rules.

5. Integrity Constraints:-  Integrity constraints are rules defined on the database schema to enforce data integrity. Examples include primary key constraints, foreign key constraints, unique constraints, and check constraints.

6. Referential Integrity:-  Referential integrity ensures the consistency of relationships between tables in a relational database. It ensures that foreign key values in child tables reference valid primary key or unique key values in parent tables.

7. Entity Integrity:-  Entity integrity ensures that each row or record in a table is uniquely identifiable. It is enforced by primary key constraints, which prevent duplicate records and ensure the uniqueness of key values.

8. Transactional Integrity:-  Transactional integrity ensures the atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID properties) of database transactions. It ensures that database transactions are executed reliably and consistently, preserving the integrity of data.

Maintaining data integrity is essential for ensuring the reliability and trustworthiness of data for decision-making, analysis, and operations. Data integrity is enforced through a combination of database design, integrity constraints, data validation rules, and transaction management mechanisms. Regular data quality checks, data validation processes, and data governance practices are essential for preserving data integrity over time.