Normalization is a systematic process of organizing data in a relational database to reduce redundancy and dependency, thereby enhancing data integrity and efficiency. The goal of normalization is to structure the database schema in a way that minimizes data redundancy and ensures each piece of information is stored in only one place.

Types of Normal Forms:

Normalization is typically achieved through a series of normalization forms, each addressing specific aspects of data redundancy and dependency. The most commonly recognized normal forms are:

• First Normal Form (1NF): Ensures that each column in a table contains atomic values and eliminates repeating groups.

• Second Normal Form (2NF): Builds on 1NF and eliminates partial dependencies by ensuring that non-key attributes depend on the entire primary key.

• Third Normal Form (3NF): Further refines the schema by removing transitive dependencies, ensuring that non-key attributes depend only on the primary key.

// Example of denormalized database schema
interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  email: string;
  address: {
    street: string;
    city: string;
    country: string;
  };
}

// Example of normalized database schema

interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  email: string;
}

interface Address {
  id: number;
  userId: number;
  street: string;
  city: string;
  country: string;
}

In the denormalized schema, user information and address details are stored together in a single table. This approach leads to data redundancy and violates the principles of normalization. By contrast, the normalized schema separates user and address information into distinct tables, reducing redundancy and improving data integrity.

Normalization is a fundamental concept in database design, essential for optimizing data storage, maintaining data integrity, and simplifying data maintenance. By adhering to normalization principles and applying normalization forms, developers can design robust and efficient relational database schemas that meet the evolving needs of modern applications. With the practical examples and insights provided in this article, you're equipped to leverage normalization effectively in your database design endeavors.