Which characteristic of Teradata allows for high performance in query processing?

The characteristic that allows for high performance in query processing in Teradata is unlimited parallelism. Teradata's architecture is designed to handle multiple queries simultaneously by distributing the workload across various processing units, which allows it to process data in parallel. Each CPU can work on different parts of a query or on different queries at the same time, significantly speeding up the query response time.

This parallel processing capability is fundamental to Teradata's design, enabling it to efficiently manage large volumes of data and deliver results quickly. The more resources that can be used simultaneously, the better the performance tends to be, especially for complex queries that require substantial data manipulation.

Other choices do not contribute positively to high performance. For example, single-threaded architecture would limit processing to one task at a time, directly opposing the principle of parallelism. Minimal storage capacity does not enhance performance, as it could lead to issues with data handling and management. Basic indexing options, while useful for certain types of queries, do not match the overall speed and efficiency provided by unlimited parallelism.