The normalization process involves getting our data to conform to three progressive normal forms, and a higher level of normalization cannot be achieved until the previous levels have been achieved (there are actually five normal forms, but the last two are mainly academic and
will not be discussed).
First Normal FormThe First Normal Form (or 1NF) involves removal of redundant data from horizontal rows. We want to ensure that there is no duplication of
data in a given row, and that every column stores the least amount of information possible (making the field atomic).
Second Normal FormWhere the First Normal Form deals with redundancy of data across a horizontal row, Second Normal Form (or 2NF) deals with redundancy of data in vertical columns. As stated earlier, the normal forms are progressive, so to achieve Second Normal Form, your tables must already be in First Normal Form.
Third Normal Form I have a confession to make; I do not often use Third Normal Form. In Third Normal Form we are looking for data in our tables that is not fully dependant on the primary key, but dependant on another value in the table
will not be discussed).
First Normal FormThe First Normal Form (or 1NF) involves removal of redundant data from horizontal rows. We want to ensure that there is no duplication of
data in a given row, and that every column stores the least amount of information possible (making the field atomic).
Second Normal FormWhere the First Normal Form deals with redundancy of data across a horizontal row, Second Normal Form (or 2NF) deals with redundancy of data in vertical columns. As stated earlier, the normal forms are progressive, so to achieve Second Normal Form, your tables must already be in First Normal Form.
Third Normal Form I have a confession to make; I do not often use Third Normal Form. In Third Normal Form we are looking for data in our tables that is not fully dependant on the primary key, but dependant on another value in the table