What is denormalization in a database?
a) The process of combining normalized tables to improve performance
b) The process of deleting redundant data from tables
c) The process of normalizing a database
d) The process of optimizing the indexing structure
Answer:
a) The process of combining normalized tables to improve performance
Explanation:
Denormalization is the process of combining tables that were split during normalization in order to improve query performance. While normalization reduces redundancy, it can sometimes lead to complex queries that involve multiple joins.
By denormalizing the database, redundant data is intentionally reintroduced to reduce the need for complex joins and improve read performance. However, this can result in higher storage costs and potential data inconsistency if not managed properly.
Denormalization is commonly used in systems where read performance is critical, such as in data warehousing and reporting systems.