Database Normalization Factors

Many legacy systems require normalization.

• Identify at least two factors that should be considered in order to produce an optimal normalized set of tables when performing normalization.
• Include in your discussion a detailed example on how each factor would eliminate data redundancy.,

• Identify at least two factors that should be considered in order to produce an optimal normalized set of tables when performing normalization,

• Include in your discussion a detailed example on how each factor would eliminate data redundancy.

Comprehensive Answer (General)

Key Factors in Producing an Optimal Normalized Set of Tables

1. Functional Dependencies
One of the most critical factors to consider during normalization is the identification of functional dependencies between attributes. Functional dependency occurs when the value of one attribute uniquely determines another attribute. Understanding these relationships ensures that each table is structured so that attributes depend only on the primary key.

• Example:
  Suppose we have a single table that stores student information:

  Student Table

  StudentID	StudentName	CourseID	CourseName	InstructorName
  1001	Alice	CS101	Database	Dr. Smith
  1002	Bob	CS101	Database	Dr. Smith

  Here, CourseID → CourseName, InstructorName is a functional dependency. Repeating these values creates redundancy (e.g., “Database” and “Dr. Smith” repeated for every student).

  • Solution: By creating a separate Course table, we eliminate redundancy:

  Course Table

  CourseID	CourseName	InstructorName
  CS101	Database	Dr. Smith

  Student Table

  StudentID	StudentName	CourseID
  1001	Alice	CS101
  1002	Bob	CS101

  Database Normalization Factors

  Now, if the instructor changes, we only update one record in the Course table instead of multiple rows in the Student table, eliminating redundancy.

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2. Avoidance of Transitive Dependencies
Another important factor is removing transitive dependencies, where a non-key attribute depends on another non-key attribute rather than directly on the primary key. This is essential to achieve Third Normal Form (3NF).

• Example:
  Suppose we have a table storing employee data:

  Employee Table

  EmpID	EmpName	DeptID	DeptName	DeptLocation
  2001	Sarah	D10	Finance	New York
  2002	John	D10	Finance	New York

  Here, DeptID → DeptName, DeptLocation. The attributes DeptName and DeptLocation depend on DeptID, not directly on EmpID. This leads to redundancy (Finance and New York repeated).

  • Solution: Separate department information into its own table:

  Department Table

  DeptID	DeptName	DeptLocation
  D10	Finance	New York

  Database Normalization Factors

  Employee Table

  EmpID	EmpName	DeptID
  2001	Sarah	D10
  2002	John	D10

  This structure ensures that updates (e.g., department moving from New York to Boston) require changes in only one place, eliminating redundancy and preventing update anomalies.

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Conclusion

In database normalization, carefully considering functional dependencies and eliminating transitive dependencies are key to producing optimal normalized tables. These factors reduce data redundancy, prevent anomalies, and ensure data integrity, leading to efficient and scalable database designs.

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