What does "data integrity" refer to in database management?

Data integrity in database management refers specifically to the accuracy and consistency of data stored in a database throughout its lifecycle. This concept is crucial because it ensures that the information is reliable, valid, and has not been altered improperly.

Maintaining data integrity involves implementing rules and standards to prevent data corruption or unauthorized changes. For example, integrity constraints such as primary keys, foreign keys, and unique constraints help enforce the validity of entries and relationships in a database.

Data integrity can be compromised due to a variety of factors, including human error, system malfunctions, or security breaches. Therefore, robust practices, including validation checks during data entry and regular audits, are employed to preserve the integrity of the database.

While other options related to data management—like data recovery, processing speed, and storage amounts—are important, they do not specifically address the core aspect of data integrity, which is fundamentally about maintaining the truthfulness and consistency of the information within the database systems.