Normalization

Assignment 2: Normalization

This is a summary of the process of normalizing database tables to help IT staff at the college at the upcoming training session. Normalizing table structures helps reduce data redundancies and prevents anomalies. There are steps to perform to see that a database is converted from one table, or spreadsheet, to First, Second, and Third Normal Forms.

The first step toward normalization is to normalize to First Normal Form (1NF). A table structure that has repeating groups is not in 1NF. A repeating group is one where there are multiple entries for any one key attribute. Any repeating groups must be removed so each row defines a single entity (Rob, Coronel & Morris, 2013). The second step is to then identify the primary key. This primary key should uniquely identify all of the row attributes in the table. Once the primary key is determined, dependencies must be identified.

Some dependencies might be partial, meaning that some attributes are dependent on only a part of the primary key. This is where converting to Second Normal Form (2NF) begins. The first step to convert to 2NF is to create tables to eliminate partial dependencies. Any component of the primary key acting as a determinant with a partial dependency is place in a new table as the primary key. This key will remain in the original table, but will change to a foreign key. The second step in converting a database to 2NF is to remove the attributes dependent in the partial dependency of the original and place them in the new table. Those attributes from the original table not dependent on a determinant in a partial dependency remain in the original table.

Once the partial dependencies are eliminated from a table, the next step is to perform a conversion to Third Normal Form (3NF). When there are still transitive dependencies remaining, the table is not in 3NF. Transitive dependencies are those relationships within a table where the “primary key may rely on one...