Data Integrity Overview

For data to have integrity means that the data is valid—that is, correct and accurate—and that the relational structure of the database is intact. The relational structure of the database is described through referential integrity constraints, business rules that maintain the consistency of data between tables.

Sybase IQ supports stored procedures and JDBC, which allow you detailed control over how data gets entered into the database. Procedures are discussed in System Administration Guide: Volume 2.

For information on JDBC, see SQL Anywhere Server - Programming > JDBC support.

• How Data Can Become Invalid
  Here are a few examples of how the data in a database may become invalid if proper checks are not made. Each of these examples can be prevented by facilities described in this chapter.
• Rules and Checks for Valid Data
  To help ensure that the data in a database are valid, you need to formulate checks that define valid and invalid data and design rules to which data must adhere.
• Statements that Change Database Contents
  Client applications change information in database tables by submitting SQL statements.
• Data Integrity Tools
  To help maintain data integrity, you can use data constraints and constraints that specify the referential structure of the database.
• SQL Statements for Implementing Integrity Constraints
  The following SQL statements are used to implement integrity constraints: