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# Data Integrity

Data integrity is a byword for the quality and the reliability of the data of a database system. In a broader sense data integrity includes also the protection of the database from unauthorised access (confidentiality) and unauthorised changes.
Data reflect facts of the real world. Logically, it is demanded that this reflection is done correctly. A DBMS should support the task to bring only correct and consistent data into the database. Additionally, correct transactions ensure that the consistency is maintained during the operation of the system.

An example for inconsistency would be if contradictory statements were saved in the same database.

Two Database Tables with Contradictory Datasets