What is the main characteristic of a snowflake schema compared to a star schema?

The main characteristic of a snowflake schema compared to a star schema is increased complexity. In a snowflake schema, the dimension tables are normalized, meaning they are split into additional tables to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. This results in a more intricate structure, as it involves multiple related tables rather than a single denormalized dimension table found in a star schema.

This complexity can lead to more complex queries and a greater understanding of how the data is structured, as users must navigate through the related tables to access the information they need. The normalization in a snowflake schema can benefit data integrity and reduce storage needs but also increases the complexity of the overall design.

In contrast, the star schema, with its simpler design of having a central fact table connected to a few denormalized dimension tables, allows for easier querying and a more straightforward understanding of the data relationships. Therefore, increased complexity is a defining characteristic that distinguishes a snowflake schema from a star schema.