Database anomalies, are really just unmatched or missing information caused by limitations or flaws within a given database. Databases are designed to collect data and sort or present it in specific ways to the end user. Entering or deleting information, be it an update or a new record can cause issues if the database is limited or has ‘bugs’.
Modification anomalies or Update anomalies are data inconsistencies that resulted from data redundancy or partial update. The Problems resulting from data redundancy in database table are known as update anomalies. If a modification is not carried out on all the relevant rows, the database will become inconsistent. So any database insertion, deletion or modification that leaves the database in an inconsistent state is said to have caused an update anomaly.
Insertion anomalies are issues that come about when you are inserting information into the database for the first time. To insert the information into the table, we must enter the correct details so that they are consistent with the values for the other rows. Missing or incorrectly formatted entries are two of the more common insertion errors. Most developers acknowledge that this will happen and build in error codes that tell you exactly what went wrong.
Deletion anomalies are obviously about issues with data being deleted, either when attempting to delete and being stopped by an error or by the unseen drop off of data. If we delete a row from the table that represents the last piece of data, the details about that piece are also lost from the Database. These are the least likely to be caught or to stop you from proceeding. Because many deletion errors go unnoticed for extended periods of time, they could be the most costly in terms of recovery.
Database anomalies are a fact; we will all face them in one form or another in life. The importance of backing up, storing offsite and data consistency checks come into full focus when you consider what could be lost.
Modification anomalies or Update anomalies are data inconsistencies that resulted from data redundancy or partial update. The Problems resulting from data redundancy in database table are known as update anomalies. If a modification is not carried out on all the relevant rows, the database will become inconsistent. So any database insertion, deletion or modification that leaves the database in an inconsistent state is said to have caused an update anomaly.
Insertion anomalies are issues that come about when you are inserting information into the database for the first time. To insert the information into the table, we must enter the correct details so that they are consistent with the values for the other rows. Missing or incorrectly formatted entries are two of the more common insertion errors. Most developers acknowledge that this will happen and build in error codes that tell you exactly what went wrong.
Deletion anomalies are obviously about issues with data being deleted, either when attempting to delete and being stopped by an error or by the unseen drop off of data. If we delete a row from the table that represents the last piece of data, the details about that piece are also lost from the Database. These are the least likely to be caught or to stop you from proceeding. Because many deletion errors go unnoticed for extended periods of time, they could be the most costly in terms of recovery.
Database anomalies are a fact; we will all face them in one form or another in life. The importance of backing up, storing offsite and data consistency checks come into full focus when you consider what could be lost.