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Data integrity is a byword for the quality and the reliability of the
data of a database system. In a broader sense data integrity includes also the
protection of the database from unauthorised access (confidentiality) and
unauthorised changes.
Data reflect facts of the real
world. Logically, it is demanded that this reflection is done correctly. A DBMS
should support the task to bring only correct and consistent data into the
database. Additionally, correct transactions ensure that the consistency is
maintained during the operation of the system.
An example for inconsistency would be if contradictory statements were saved in the same database.