Normalization

Last updated Mar 13, 2024

Database normalization is the process of structuring a relational database in accordance with a series of so-called normal forms in order to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity. It was first proposed in the early 1970s by British computer scientist Edgar F. Codd as part of his relational model.

He defined the Normal Form into four categories:

• Denormalized: No normalization. Nested and redundant data is allowed. What we do on purpose with Dimensional Modeling with dimension.
• First Normal form (1NF): Each column is unique and has a single value. The table has a unique primary key.
• Second Normal form (2NF): The requirements of 1NF, plus partial dependencies are removed.
• Third Normal Form: The requirements of 2NF, plus each table contains only relevant field related to its primary key and has no transitive dependencies.
  • There is no duplication (following DRY) that addresses are modeled out into a separate table and not held inside customers, for example. Countries are its own table not inside the geographic table, etc.

See more on Normalization vs Denormalization.

And read more on Data Modeling Techniques.

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Created 2023-03-23