How do you identify and avoid data redundancy in a database schema?

Short answer: Data redundancy occurs when the same piece of data is stored in multiple places, which can lead to inconsistencies and wasted storage. To avoid redundancy:

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s SQL Server database stores customers, products, and orders. Good indexes and clear foreign keys keep checkout queries fast and safe.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.