ABSTRACT
Data normalization is a formal technique for converting preliminary data structures into easy to maintain, efficient data structures. Data normalization is a rigorous, formal technique for defining efficient data structures. The resulting normalized data structures serve as a useful starting point for file and database design. Data in first normal form can be represented as one or more two-dimensional flat files that resemble simple spreadsheets. A data structure in first normal form can cause maintenance problems if one or more data elements depend on only part of the key. To convert data in first normal form to second normal form, concentrate on those records with concatenated keys, check each non-key attribute to see if it depends on the entire key, and move to a new entity any data element that depends on only part of the key. Two of the Supplier data structure’s attributes, Reorder time and Supplier price, depend on both keys.
