Integrity
Integrity is a fundamental concept in software development and data management that ensures data remains accurate, consistent, and reliable throughout its lifecycle. It involves maintaining the correctness and trustworthiness of data, preventing unauthorized modifications, and preserving its intended state. This is crucial for applications where data quality, security, and compliance are paramount, such as in financial systems, healthcare records, and e-commerce platforms.
Developers should prioritize integrity to build reliable and secure systems that users can trust, especially in domains like banking, healthcare, and legal software where data errors can have serious consequences. It is essential when implementing features like data validation, access controls, and audit trails to prevent corruption, fraud, or loss of critical information. Learning about integrity helps in designing robust databases, secure APIs, and compliant applications that meet regulatory standards like GDPR or HIPAA.