What does the term 'consistency' ensure in transaction processing?

The concept of 'consistency' in transaction processing is fundamentally concerned with maintaining the integrity of the data. When a transaction is executed, it must ensure that the database moves from one consistent state to another. This means that all integrity constraints, rules, and business logic that govern the database must be adhered to throughout the transaction.

If a transaction violates any of these integrity conditions, it should be aborted to prevent the database from entering into an inconsistent state. The state of the data must reflect valid information based on the specific rules set for that database. Therefore, the choice referring to the maintenance of integrity conditions with each transaction accurately describes the role of consistency in transaction processing, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding the overall reliability and trustworthiness of the data.

In transaction management, achieving consistency is critical to ensure that once a transaction commits, all future transactions can rely on the accuracy and correctness of the data. This principle helps in preventing issues such as data anomalies and ensures that subsequent transactions work with a stable and reliable dataset.