What characterizes a Star Schema in database design?

A Star Schema is characterized by its organization around a central fact table. This central fact table contains quantitative data for analysis and is surrounded by several dimension tables that provide context or descriptive attributes related to the data in the fact table. The structure resembles a star, with the fact table at the center and the dimension tables radiating outwards.

This design is beneficial for query performance and simplifying data retrieval because it allows for straightforward joins between the fact and dimension tables, facilitating efficient access and analysis of data within a data warehouse environment.

The presence of numerous dimension tables in this schema supports an intuitive and easily understandable data model that is ideal for reporting and data analysis, unlike the other options which do not accurately capture the essence of a Star Schema. For instance, while some schemas may involve multiple fact tables or normalize dimension tables further, these characteristics are not defining features of a Star Schema. Additionally, a focus solely on transactions does not align with the broader analytical capabilities that a Star Schema offers, which support both transactional and business intelligence reporting.