Normalization Trade-offs — Read-Only vs. Updateable Databases For several practical reasons (performance, simplicity, and reporting patterns), normalization is not often an advantage for a(n) ________ database.
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Aread-only
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Bupdateable
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Ceither a read-only or an updateable
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DNone of the above is correct.
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Etime-series streaming
Answer
Correct Answer: read-only
Explanation
Introduction:Normalization is invaluable for transactional systems where data changes frequently. In read-only or reporting databases, however, denormalized structures often serve analytics better. This question asks you to identify where normalization is not typically advantageous.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Read-only databases prioritize fast reads and simplified queries.
- Updateable databases prioritize correctness during inserts/updates/deletes.
- Join-heavy, fully normalized schemas can slow reporting use cases.
Concept / Approach:Normalization reduces redundancy at the cost of more joins. For read-only analytic workloads, denormalized or dimensional models (star/snowflake) minimize joins and ease reporting. Thus, full normalization delivers less benefit in read-only contexts than in OLTP scenarios, where anomalies must be strictly controlled.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) Identify workload: read-mostly analytics versus update-heavy OLTP.2) Map modeling goals: analytics favor simpler queries and fewer joins.3) Conclude that normalization is not often an advantage for read-only databases.
Verification / Alternative check:Data warehouses routinely adopt dimensional models to accelerate aggregations and improve usability, corroborating the limited value of strict normalization in read-only settings.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Updateable: Normalization is very beneficial to prevent anomalies.
- Either / None / Streaming: Overly broad or off-target relative to the question focus.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming one model fits all workloads. Align normalization level with workload characteristics.
Final Answer:read-only