Which operation is best to use when synchronizing data between two systems?

Using the upsert operation is particularly advantageous when synchronizing data between two systems because it combines both insert and update functionalities. This means that if a record already exists in the target system, it will be updated with the new data from the source. Conversely, if the record does not exist, it will be inserted into the target.

This dual capability is essential for ensuring that data is accurately reflected across systems, as it helps maintain data integrity and reduces the possibility of duplicates. In scenarios where data needs to be continuously synchronized, such as with customer records or transactional data, using upsert minimizes the complexity of having to determine whether to insert or update a record, streamlining the synchronization process.

Other options, while useful in their own contexts, do not serve the purpose of data synchronization as effectively. For instance, using only an update would not account for new records that need to be inserted. Conversely, an insert operation alone would miss any records that need updating, leading to discrepancies between the source and target systems. Likewise, a delete operation would remove records rather than maintaining them, creating further challenges during synchronization. Thus, the upsert operation is the most comprehensive and efficient choice for data synchronization tasks.