What is database normalization?

Database normalization is a process used in designing relational databases to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. It involves organizing tables and their relationships according to certain rules, known as normal forms, to ensure that data is stored efficiently and consistently. By breaking down large, complex tables into smaller, related tables, normalization helps eliminate duplicate data and makes it easier to update and maintain the database. This process also helps prevent anomalies during data insertion, update, or deletion. Ultimately, normalization enhances the overall structure and performance of a database.