What is replication in a database system?

Replication in a database system refers specifically to the process of copying and maintaining database objects, such as tables or entire databases, in more than one location. This ensures that multiple replica databases hold the same data, which can serve various purposes including load balancing, fault tolerance, data redundancy, and improved query performance. By having multiple copies of the same data, organizations can enhance availability and reliability, as well as provide faster access for users across different geographic locations.

In contrast to replication, creating indexes involves enhancing the speed of data retrieval operations, without altering the underlying data itself—it focuses purely on performance optimization. Anonymizing sensitive data is concerned with privacy and security, ensuring that personal information is not directly identifiable. Scheduling backups is a necessary maintenance task that secures data against loss but does not involve the active synchronization of ongoing data changes across multiple databases.

Thus, the process of creating replicas of databases—thereby maintaining consistency across those copies—is what fundamentally defines replication in database management systems.