What does the term data redundancy imply in database design?

The term data redundancy in database design primarily refers to the presence of duplicate data within a database. This situation arises when the same piece of information is stored in multiple places, which can lead to several problems, such as increased storage costs, potential inconsistencies, and difficulties in data management.

When a database contains redundant data, it can complicate the process of maintaining data quality and integrity. If changes are made to one instance of the duplicate data, those changes may not be reflected in other instances, leading to inconsistencies. Therefore, minimizing data redundancy is a key goal in database design, as it helps ensure that data is stored efficiently and remains reliable throughout its lifecycle.

In contrast, the other options highlight different aspects of database design that do not directly capture the essence of data redundancy. Extensive data modeling pertains to designing a robust schema and relationships between data, optimization of data retrieval focuses on how quickly and effectively data can be accessed, and the complexity of data relationships deals with the connections and associations between different entities in a database, rather than the duplication of data itself.