Under which condition is database redesign typically “not terribly difficult,” considering migration complexity and risk?

Introduction / Context:
What makes a redesign difficult is rarely the DDL itself; it is moving and validating existing data while keeping applications working. Therefore the presence and volume of data drive risk, downtime, and effort. This question asks when redesign is comparatively easy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We consider schema changes that would normally require data migration.
• Production systems usually have significant data to move and verify.
• No data means no migration risk or downtime for data copy.

Concept / Approach:

If a database contains no data, redesign tasks become more straightforward: update the schema, adjust constraints, and deploy. There is no need to transform existing rows, reconcile anomalies, or maintain dual-write strategies during cutover. Testing is still essential, but the hardest part—safe data migration—is absent.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Contrast timelines: with data, you need extraction, transformation, validation, and rollback plans; without data, you focus on DDL correctness and app compatibility.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Structured, well-designed, or small databases can still be hard to redesign if data migration is non-trivial; even small datasets may involve complex dependencies.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming “no data” also means no external dependencies; applications and integrations still need testing against the new schema.

Final Answer:

database has no data.