Database Normalization: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF Explained Simply
Database normalization explained simply: first, second, and third normal forms with practical examples and when to denormalize.
The Three Normal Forms
- 1NF: No repeating groups. Each cell contains a single value. Each row is unique.
- 2NF: 1NF + no partial dependencies. Every non-key column depends on the entire primary key.
- 3NF: 2NF + no transitive dependencies. Non-key columns depend only on the primary key, not on other non-key columns.
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