Question

With the aid of a single table critically discuss the problems

that data redundancy cause in databases.

Answer 1

Data redundancy in databases can result in wasted storage space, inconsistencies in the data, and challenges in maintaining and updating the database.

Step-by-step explanation:

Data redundancy in databases refers to the situation where the same data is stored in multiple places within the database. This can result in several problems.

Firstly, it wastes storage space, increasing the size of the database unnecessarily. Secondly, it can lead to inconsistencies, where different copies of the same data may have different values. Lastly, it makes updating and maintaining the database more difficult, as any changes to the data need to be made in multiple locations.

For example, let's say we have a database of customer information, with the customer's name and address. If the same customer is entered into the database multiple times, their information will be stored redundantly.

This not only increases the size of the database but also makes it more challenging to ensure that all copies of the customer's information are consistent. If the customer moves and their address needs to be updated, this change would need to be made in every instance of their data, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors.

In summary, data redundancy in databases can lead to wasted storage space, inconsistencies in the data, and challenges in maintaining and updating the database.