Chapter 4 - Normalizing a Data Model

Data normalization is probably one of the most talked-about aspects of database modeling. Before building your data model, you must answer a few questions about normalization. These questions include whether or not to use the formal normalization forms, which of these forms to use, and when to denormalize.

Summary
 
Every relational database must be designed to meet data quality, performance, and scalability requirements. For a database to be efficient, the data it contains must be maintained in a consistent and logical state. Normalization helps reveal design requirements that remove potential data manipulation anomalies.
 
However, strict normalization must often be balanced against specialized query needs and must be tested for performance. It may be necessary to denormalize certain aspects of a database to ensure that queries return in an acceptable time while still maintaining data integrity. Every design you work on should include phases to identify normal forms and a phase to identify denormalization needs. This practice will ensure that you've removed data consistency flaws while preserving the elements of a highperformance
system.
 
This completes Part I, which has laid the foundation for building an effective data model. Part II begins with Chapter 5, Requirements Gathering, which launches the overall business process of designing and deploying a data model.