What is the primary function of a data warehouse?

The primary function of a data warehouse is to act as a centralized repository for data. This means that a data warehouse consolidates data from various sources, including operational systems, transactional databases, and external sources, into a single, unified location designed for query and analysis. This centralization allows organizations to access a comprehensive view of their data, facilitating reporting and decision-making processes.

By storing historical data, the data warehouse supports business intelligence activities, including data mining, analytics, and reporting, enabling users to gain insights over time. The structured design typically involves data organized into fact and dimension tables, which further allows for efficient data retrieval and analysis.

The other choices do not accurately encompass the primary function of a data warehouse. While eliminating data redundancy may be a benefit of effective data warehousing strategies, the central repository aspect is the defining characteristic, distinguishing it from OLAP systems, which are more focused on analysis rather than storage. Additionally, real-time transaction processing is a function more aligned with operational databases than with the typically batch-oriented processes of a data warehouse.