3.1. Normalization About¶
Entities - rows in database
Attributes - columns in database
Normalization is what gives data meaning
NF - Normal Form
In order to be in 3rd normal form, you need to be in 1st and 2nd NF
Core basics: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Exceptions: 4th, 5th
1st: atomic values, unique identifiers (PK), columns with same type
2nd: all data must depend on the Primary Key
3rd: PK define all Non-Key columns, those can't depend on any other Key
4th: No multi-valued dependencies
3.1.1. Glossary¶
- normalization¶
Database normalization is the process of structuring a database, usually a relational database, in accordance with a series of so-called normal forms in order to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity. Normalization entails organizing the columns (attributes) and tables (relations) of a database to ensure that their dependencies are properly enforced by database integrity constraints. It is accomplished by applying some formal rules either by a process of synthesis (creating a new database design) or decomposition (improving an existing database design). A relational database relation is often described as 'normalized' if it meets third normal form. 1 3
- NF¶
Normal Form
- Entity¶
- Entities¶
Rows in database
- Attributes¶
Columns in database
- Table¶
Database Table
3.1.2. Recap¶

3.1.3. References¶
- 1
Database normalization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization
- 2
Lowgren, Jesper. Database Normalization 1NF 2NF 3NF. Year: 2021. Retrieved: 2022-02-05. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK4H5tTT6-M
- 3
Codd, E. F. Further Normalization of the Data Base Relational Model. (Presented at Courant Computer Science Symposia Series 6, Data Base Systems, New York City, May 24–25, 1971.) IBM Research Report RJ909 (August 31, 1971). Republished in Randall J. Rustin (ed.), Data Base Systems: Courant Computer Science Symposia Series 6. Prentice-Hall, 1972.