What is the primary purpose of data normalization in a relational database?

The primary purpose of data normalization in a relational database is to improve data integrity. Normalization is a systematic approach to organizing data within a database to minimize redundancy and dependency. By following normalization rules, data is structured in a way that helps ensure that relationships between data items are logical and that the data reflects real-world relationships accurately.

When a database is normalized, it prevents issues such as data anomalies during insertion, deletion, or updating of data. This contributes to maintaining accuracy and consistency, as each piece of data is stored in a single location, reducing the likelihood of discrepancies. Thus, data integrity is upheld, which is crucial for any database management system.

In contrast, increasing data redundancy would lead to inconsistencies, while enhancing performance is a secondary benefit of normalization rather than its primary aim. Simplifying the database structure may occur as a result of the normalization process, but the ultimate goal is focused on ensuring that the data remains accurate and reliable.