What is Data Normalization?

 

Data normalization is a way of organizing data within a database in which it manages the columns and tables in the database to ensure that their dependencies are correctly implemented using database constraints.

This minimizes the duplication of various relationships in the database and can also allow it to split a large table into several small normalized tables in order to reduce redundancy. At its core, data normalization is simply creating a standard format for all data throughout a database to ensure seamless processing and analysis. 


3 General Rules to Data Normalization

  1. First Normal Form (1NF)

    • The most basic form of data normalization ensures there are no repeating entries in a group. 

  2. Second Normal Form (2NF)

    • 2NF separates data to only have one primary key in which all subsets of data that can be placed in multiple rows should be placed in separate tables.

  3. Third Normal Form (3NF)

    • 3NF ensures that data in a table must only be dependent on the primary key. If the primary key is changed, all data that is impacted must be put into a new table.


Every business that wishes to be successful and grow needs to regularly perform data normalization. It is one of the most important things you can do to get rid of errors that make running information analysis complicated and difficult. These errors often go undetected when manually changing, adding, or removing system information. When data input error is removed, an organization will be left with a well-functioning system that is full of usable, beneficial data.

Data Normalization also frees up more space by organizing and eliminating unnecessary data. With databases crammed with information, organization and elimination of duplicates frees up valuable space. When a system is loaded with unnecessary things, the processing performance decreases thus decreasing the productivity and efficiency of the entire company. As data becomes more valuable to all types of business, the way it is organized in mass qualities can not be overlooked. Choosing to normalize data is one of the most important things you can do for your organization today.

Guest User