Western Governors University (WGU) ITEC2104 C175 Data Management - Foundations Practice Exam

A key feature of a relation in a database is that each cell contains a single value, which adheres to the principles of relational database design. This singular value concept, known as atomicity, ensures that data is structured in a way that supports efficient data manipulation and retrieval. In relational databases, each cell in a table (or relation) is expected to hold a distinct piece of information rather than a collection of values or complex structures. This atomic nature allows for straightforward querying and aligns with normalization principles, where data redundancy is minimized, leading to more efficient storage and enhanced data integrity.

The concept revolves around ensuring that each attribute (or field) in a database table is defined clearly and contains only one piece of data related to the entity represented by that table. This fundamental characteristic is essential for maintaining the integrity and organization of the data within database systems.