Question

What is the purpose of normalization in a relational database?

• A. To increase data redundancy
• B. To decrease performance
• C. To store all data in a single table
• D. To eliminate data redundancy and improve integrity

Hint:

The core idea of normalization is to ensure that every piece of non-key data in a table depends on the key, the whole key, and nothing but the key. This helps to reduce redundancy and prevent update anomalies.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Normalization is a systematic process of designing a database schema to organize data efficiently.
The main goals of normalization are:
1. Eliminate Data Redundancy: Redundancy means storing the same piece of information in multiple places. Normalization reduces this by dividing larger tables into smaller, well-structured tables and linking them using relationships. 2. Improve Data Integrity: By eliminating redundancy, normalization helps prevent data anomalies (insertion, update, and deletion anomalies). When a piece of data is stored only once, updating it is simpler and less error-prone, ensuring the data remains consistent and reliable.
Let's analyze the options:
(A) To increase data redundancy: This is the opposite of the purpose of normalization.
(B) To decrease performance: While very high levels of normalization can sometimes lead to slower query performance (due to the need for more joins), the primary purpose is not to decrease performance.
(C) To store all data in a single table: This describes a denormalized or unnormalized state, which is what normalization aims to fix.
(D) To eliminate data redundancy and improve integrity: This correctly states the primary goals of normalization.