WIH1370: Information Systems 1 Normalization Notes

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Normalization is simply the simplification of an existing table in a database. This makes the table less
redundant. Here below is my guide on how to get around Normalization.
In Normalization, there are 4 Forms: Un-Normalized Form (UNF), First Normal Form (1NF), Second
Normal Form (2NF), and Third Normal Form (3NF).
Un-Normalized Form (UNF) is, essentially all the fields in the table. Remember to exclude the fields that
can be calculated!
FIRST NORMAL FORM (1NF)
For a table to be normalized to 1NF, there are 4 steps into doing this:
o There are no repeating groups
o All data values are atomic
o Each field has a unique field name
o Each Table has a primary key
There are no repeating groups: Make sure there is no set of attributes that repeat themselves
for the non-repeating data.
o The repeating fields get removed from the first table, and placed in a new table.
o Therefore, there will be two tables in this stage essentially a split up of the main
table (which was in UNF).
All data values are atomic: This means that all fields cannot be broken down further into more
fields.
o Should such fields exist, split these up into their relative fields in the Table. Some
examples: Name Can be split into name and surname
Each field has a unique name: Ensure that all the names of the fields are unique no other field
can have the same name as another field.
Each table has a primary key: Each record must have a primary identifier (primary key).
o Should there be a case where the primary key repeats, we can have two unique
identifiers as 1 primary key. This is known as the composite key.
SECOND NORMAL FORM (2NF)
For a table to be normalized to 2NF, there are 4 steps into doing this:
o It is in first normal form (1NF)
o All non-key attributes are dependent on ALL PARTS of the primary key
o Each field has a unique name
o Each table has a primary key
It is in First Normal Form (1NF): Make sure the tables involved are in first normal form refer to
the first normal form criteria.
All non-key attributes are dependent on ALL PARTS of the primary key:
o Non-Key attributes are the fields which are not dependent (no relation) to the primary
key.
o NB: Any table with only 1 primary key field is already in Second Normal Form (2NF)
WIH1370: Information Systems 1 Normalization Notes
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o Any fields that are not dependent on ALL PARTS of the primary key (all primary key
fields) get taken out of this table, and moved to a new table. The primary key field which
the field was dependent on becomes the Primary key of this new table.
Each field has a unique field name: Ensure that each field name is unique name is not
identical with another field name
It has a primary key: Ensure that all tables have a primary key to them
THIRD NORMAL FORM (3NF)
For a table to be in 3NF, there are 4 steps in doing this:
o It is in Second Normal Form (2NF)
o All non-key attributes are not dependent on any other non-key attributes
o Each field has a unique name
o Each table has a primary key
It is in Second Normal Form (2NF): Make sure all tables are in second normal form refer to the
criteria for second normal form
All non-key attributes are not dependent on any other non-key attributes:
o Here, we need to look for any other identifiers primary key which are outside the
primary key
o We also need to check if there is any other category of information that may be
dependent on this identifier (which is outside the primary key)
o We also need to check if there is a group of fields that seem not to belong to the table
The identifier field stays in its current table, all other fields move to a new table,
and the primary key of this new table is the identifier.
Each field has a unique name: Check to ensure that each field name is not shared with another
field
It has a primary key: Make sure that every table has a primary key