Concept:
Data redundancy refers to the unnecessary duplication of the same data in multiple places within a database or storage system. It increases storage requirements and may lead to inconsistencies when one copy of the data is updated while another is not.
• Increases storage space.
• Causes data inconsistency if updates are not synchronized.
• Is minimized through database normalization.
Step 1: Understand the meaning of data redundancy.
If the same information is stored repeatedly in different tables or files, it is called:
\[
\boxed{\text{Data Redundancy}}
\]
For example, storing the same customer's address in multiple records unnecessarily creates redundancy.
Step 2: Differentiate related database terms.
• Data Integrity -- Ensures data is accurate and reliable.
• Data Inconsistency -- Occurs when duplicate data contains different values.
• Data Redundancy -- Unnecessary duplication of data.
• Data Consistency -- Ensures all copies of data remain identical and correct.
Step 3: Why should redundancy be reduced?
Reducing redundancy:
• Saves storage space.
• Prevents update anomalies.
• Improves database efficiency.
• Maintains data consistency.
Database normalization is commonly used to reduce data redundancy.
Step 4: Analyse the options.
• Data integrity -- Incorrect.
• Data inconsistency -- Result of redundancy, not duplication itself.
• Data redundancy -- Correct.
• Data consistency -- Opposite concept.
Step 5: Final conclusion.
Hence, duplication of data is known as:
\[
\boxed{\text{Data Redundancy}}
\]