Database Normalization
Database normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity. It involves structuring a relational database in accordance with a series of normal forms to ensure that dependencies are properly enforced by database integrity constraints. The main objectives of normalization are to eliminate undesirable characteristics like insertion, update, and deletion anomalies, and to ensure that data is stored logically.
Normalization rules divide larger tables into smaller tables and link them using relationships, which allows for the extension of the database structure to accommodate new types of data without significantly affecting existing applications. The process of normalization is progressive, with each level building on the previous one, and it cannot be achieved unless the previous levels have been satisfied.
The concept of database normalization is generally traced back to E.F. Codd, an IBM researcher who, in 1970, published a paper describing the relational database model. The process of normalization is critical to the successful implementation of a database management system that meets the data requirements of an enterprise system.
In summary, database normalization is a fundamental database design technique that aims to reduce data redundancy, eliminate undesirable characteristics, and ensure data integrity by organizing data into tables and establishing relationships between those tables according to specific rules. It is an essential process for maintaining the quality and consistency of data within a relational database.
