8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
Increase Font Size
Home Read Sign in
Search in book …
DATABASE DESIGN – 2ND EDITION
CONTENTS
Main Body
Chapter 12 Normalization
ADRIENNE WA
Normalization should be part of the database design process. However, it is dif cult
to separate the normalization process from the ER modelling process so the two
techniques should be used concurrently.
Use an entity relation diagram (ERD) to provide the big picture, or macro view, of
an organization’s data requirements and operations. This is created through an
iterative process that involves identifying relevant entities, their attributes and their
relationships.
Normalization procedure focuses on characteristics of speci c entities and
represents the micro view of entities within the ERD.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 1/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
What Is Normalization? Increase Font Size
Normalization is the branch of relational theory that provides design insights. It is
the process of determining how much redundancy exists in a table. The goals of
normalization are to:
Be able to characterize the level of redundancy in a relational schema
Provide mechanisms for transforming schemas in order to remove redundancy
Normalization theory draws heavily on the theory of functional dependencies.
Normalization theory de nes six normal forms (NF). Each normal form involves a set
of dependency properties that a schema must satisfy and each normal form gives
guarantees about the presence and/or absence of update anomalies. This means
that higher normal forms have less redundancy, and as a result, fewer update
problems.
Normal Forms
All the tables in any database can be in one of the normal forms we will discuss
next. Ideally we only want minimal redundancy for PK to FK. Everything else should
be derived from other tables. There are six normal forms, but we will only look at
the rst four, which are:
First normal form (1NF)
Second normal form (2NF)
Third normal form (3NF)
Boyce-Codd normal form (BCNF)
BCNF is rarely used.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
First Normal Form (1NF)
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 2/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
In the rst normal form, only single values are permitted at the intersection of each
Increase Font Size
row and column; hence, there are no repeating groups.
To normalize a relation that contains a repeating group, remove the repeating
group and form two new relations.
The PK of the new relation is a combination of the PK of the original relation plus
an attribute from the newly created relation for unique identi cation.
Process for 1NF
We will use the Student_Grade_Report table below, from a School database, as our
example to explain the process for 1NF.
Student_Grade_Report (StudentNo, StudentName, Major, CourseNo,
CourseName, InstructorNo, InstructorName, InstructorLocation, Grade)
In the Student Grade Report table, the repeating group is the course
information. A student can take many courses.
Remove the repeating group. In this case, it’s the course information for each
student.
Identify the PK for your new table.
The PK must uniquely identify the attribute value (StudentNo and CourseNo).
After removing all the attributes related to the course and student, you are left
with the student course table (StudentCourse).
The Student table (Student) is now in rst normal form with the repeating
group removed.
The two new tables are shown below.
Student
Previous: (StudentNo,
Chapter 11 Functional StudentName,
Dependencies Major)
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 3/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
Increase Font Size
StudentCourse (StudentNo, CourseNo, CourseName, InstructorNo,
InstructorName, InstructorLocation, Grade)
How to update 1NF anomalies
StudentCourse (StudentNo, CourseNo, CourseName, InstructorNo, InstructorName,
InstructorLocation, Grade)
To add a new course, we need a student.
When course information needs to be updated, we may have inconsistencies.
To delete a student, we might also delete critical information about a course.
Second Normal Form (2NF)
For the second normal form, the relation must rst be in 1NF. The relation is
automatically in 2NF if, and only if, the PK comprises a single attribute.
If the relation has a composite PK, then each non-key attribute must be fully
dependent on the entire PK and not on a subset of the PK (i.e., there must be no
partial dependency or augmentation).
Process for 2NF
To move to 2NF, a table must rst be in 1NF.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
The Student table is already in 2NF because it has a single-column PK.
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 4/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
When examining the Student Course table, we see that not all the attributes
Increase are
Font Size
fully dependent on the PK; speci cally, all course information. The only
attribute that is fully dependent is grade.
Identify the new table that contains the course information.
Identify the PK for the new table.
The three new tables are shown below.
Student (StudentNo, StudentName, Major)
CourseGrade (StudentNo, CourseNo, Grade)
CourseInstructor (CourseNo, CourseName, InstructorNo,
InstructorName, InstructorLocation)
How to update 2NF anomalies
When adding a new instructor, we need a course.
Updating course information could lead to inconsistencies for instructor
information.
Deleting a course may also delete instructor information.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
ird Normal Form (3NF)
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 5/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
To be in third normal form, the relation must be in second normal form. Also
Increase all Size
Font
transitive dependencies must be removed; a non-key attribute may not be
functionally dependent on another non-key attribute.
Process for 3NF
Eliminate all dependent attributes in transitive relationship(s) from each of the
tables that have a transitive relationship.
Create new table(s) with removed dependency.
Check new table(s) as well as table(s) modi ed to make sure that each table has a
determinant and that no table contains inappropriate dependencies.
See the four new tables below.
Student (StudentNo, StudentName, Major)
CourseGrade (StudentNo, CourseNo, Grade)
Course (CourseNo, CourseName, InstructorNo)
Instructor (InstructorNo, InstructorName, InstructorLocation)
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 6/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
At this stage, there should be no anomalies in third normal form. Let’s look Font
Increase at the
Size
dependency diagram (Figure 12.1) for this example. The rst step is to remove
repeating groups, as discussed above.
Student (StudentNo, StudentName, Major)
StudentCourse (StudentNo, CourseNo, CourseName, InstructorNo,
InstructorName, InstructorLocation, Grade)
To recap the normalization process for the School database, review the
dependencies shown in Figure 12.1.
Figure 12.1 Dependency diagram, by A.
Watt.
The abbreviations used in Figure 12.1 are as follows:
PD: partial dependency
TD: transitive dependency
FD: full dependency (Note: FD typically stands for functional dependency.
Using FD as an abbreviation for full dependency is only used in Figure 12.1.)
Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)
When a table has more than one candidate key, anomalies may result even though
the relation is in 3NF. Boyce-Codd normal form is a special case of 3NF. A relation is
in BCNF if, and only if, every determinant is a candidate key.
BCNF Example 1
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 7/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
Consider the following table (St_Maj_Adv). Increase Font Size
Student_id Major Advisor
111 Physics Smith
111 Music Chan
320 Math Dobbs
671 Physics White
803 Physics Smith
The semantic rules (business rules applied to the database) for this table are:
1. Each Student may major in several subjects.
2. For each Major, a given Student has only one Advisor.
3. Each Major has several Advisors.
4. Each Advisor advises only one Major.
5. Each Advisor advises several Students in one Major.
The functional dependencies for this table are listed below. The rst one is a
candidate key; the second is not.
1. Student_id, Major ——> Advisor
2. Advisor ——> Major
Anomalies for this table include:
1. Delete – student deletes advisor info
2. Insert – a new advisor needs a student
3. Update – inconsistencies
Note: No single attribute is a candidate key.
PK can be Student_id, Major or Student_id, Advisor.
To reduce the St_Maj_Adv relation to BCNF, you create two new tables:
1.Previous:
St_Adv Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
(Student_id, Advisor)
2. Adv_Maj (Advisor, Major) Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 8/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
St_Adv table Increase Font Size
Student_id Advisor
111 Smith
111 Chan
320 Dobbs
671 White
803 Smith
Adv_Maj table
Advisor Major
Smith Physics
Chan Music
Dobbs Math
White Physics
BCNF Example 2
Consider the following table (Client_Interview).
ClientNo InterviewDate InterviewTime StaffNo RoomNo
CR76 13-May-02 10.30 SG5 G101
CR56 13-May-02 12.00 SG5 G101
CR74 13-May-02 12.00 SG37 G102
CR56 1-July-02 10.30 SG5 G102
FD1 – ClientNo, InterviewDate –> InterviewTime, StaffNo, RoomNo (PK)
FD2 – staffNo, interviewDate, interviewTime –> clientNO (candidate key: CK)
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
FD3 – roomNo, interviewDate, interviewTime –> staffNo, clientNo (CK)
FD4 – staffNo, interviewDate –> roomNo Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 9/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
A relation is in BCNF if, and only if, every determinant is a candidate key. Font
Increase We need
Size
to create a table that incorporates the rst three FDs (Client_Interview2 table) and
another table (StaffRoom table) for the fourth FD.
Client_Interview2 table
ClientNo InterviewDate InterViewTime StaffNo
CR76 13-May-02 10.30 SG5
CR56 13-May-02 12.00 SG5
CR74 13-May-02 12.00 SG37
CR56 1-July-02 10.30 SG5
StaffRoom table
StaffNo InterviewDate RoomNo
SG5 13-May-02 G101
SG37 13-May-02 G102
SG5 1-July-02 G102
Normalization and Database Design
During the normalization process of database design, make sure that proposed
entities meet required normal form before table structures are created. Many real-
world databases have been improperly designed or burdened with anomalies if
improperly modi ed during the course of time. You may be asked to redesign and
modify existing databases. This can be a large undertaking if the tables are not
properly normalized.
Key Terms and Abbrevations
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Boyce-Codd normal form (BCNF): a special
Next:case of 13
Chapter 3rd NF Development Process
Database
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 10/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
rst normal form (1NF): only single values are permitted at the
Increase Font Size
intersection of each row and column so there are no repeating groups
normalization: the process of determining how much redundancy exists
in a table
second normal form (2NF): the relation must be in 1NF and the PK
comprises a single attribute
semantic rules: business rules applied to the database
third normal form (3NF): the relation must be in 2NF and all transitive
dependencies must be removed; a non-key attribute may not be functionally
dependent on another non-key attribute
Exercises
Complete chapters 11 and 12 before doing these exercises.
1. What is normalization?
2. When is a table in 1NF?
3. When is a table in 2NF?
4. When is a table in 3NF?
5. Identify and discuss each of the indicated dependencies in the
dependency diagram shown in Figure 12.2.
Figure 12.2 For question 5, by A. Watt.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 11/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
6. To keep track of students and courses, a new college usesIncrease
the table
Font Size
structure in Figure 12.3.
Draw the dependency diagram for this table.
Figure 12.3 For question 6, by A. Watt.
7. Using the dependency diagram you just drew, show the tables (in their
third normal form) you would create to x the problems you
encountered. Draw the dependency diagram for the xed table.
8. An agency called Instant Cover supplies part-time/temporary staff to
hotels in Scotland. Figure 12.4 lists the time spent by agency staff
working at various hotels. The national insurance number (NIN) is
unique for every member of staff. Use Figure 12.4 to answer questions
(a) and (b).
Figure 12.4 For question 8, by A. Watt.
1. This table is susceptible to update anomalies. Provide examples
of insertion, deletion and update anomalies.
2. Normalize this table to third normal form. State any
assumptions.
9. Fill in the blanks:
1. ____________________ produces a lower normal form.
2. Any
Previous: Chapter attribute
11 Functional whose value determines other values within a row
Dependencies
is called a(n) ____________________.
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 12/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
3. An attribute that cannot be further divided is said toIncrease
displayFont Size
____________________.
4. ____________________ refers to the level of detail
represented by the values stored in a table’s row.
5. A relational table must not contain
____________________ groups.
Also see Appendix B: Sample ERD Exercises
Bibliography
Nguyen Kim Anh, Relational Design Theory. OpenStax CNX. 8 Jul 2009 Retrieved July
2014 from http://cnx.org/contents/606cc532-0b1d-419d-a0ec-ac4e2e2d533b@1@1
Russell, Gordon. Chapter 4 – Normalisation. Database eLearning. N.d. Retrived July
2014 from db.grussell.org/ch4.html
LICENSE SHARE THIS BOOK
Chapter 12 Normalization by Adrienne
Watt is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License, except where otherwise noted.
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 13/14
8/7/2019 Chapter 12 Normalization – Database Design – 2nd Edition
Increase Font Size
Powered by Pressbooks
Open Source | Open Textbooks | Open Book Publishing | Learn More
Previous: Chapter 11 Functional Dependencies
Next: Chapter 13 Database Development Process
https://opentextbc.ca/dbdesign01/chapter/chapter-12-normalization/ 14/14
