Advantages and Disadvantages of Normalization

Normalization : It is the methodology of arranging a data model to capably store data in an information base. The completed impact is that tedious data is cleared out, and just data related to the attribute is taken care of inside the table. Normalization regularly incorporates isolating an information base into at least two tables and describing associations between the tables. The objective is to isolate data so that expands, deletions, and changes of abroad may be made in just one table and thereafter multiplied through whatever survives from the information base by methods for the described associations. There are three standard customary structures, each with extending levels of Normalization as follows.

1. First Normal Form (1 NF) – Each field in a table holds particular information. For example, in a specialist overview, every one table may hold stand apart origination date field.
2. Second Normal Form (2 NF) – Each field in a table that isn’t a determiner of the substance of a substitute field must itself be a limit of substitute fields in the table.
3. Third Normal Form (3 NF) – No twofold information is permitted. Consequently, for example, if two tables both oblige an origination date field, the origination date information may be isolated into a different table, and the two distinct tables may then get to the origination date information by methods for a list field in the origination date table. Any change to an origination date would normally be reflecting in all tables that association with the origination date table.

Note – There are additional standardization levels, for instance, Boyce Codd Normal Form (BCNF), fourth customary structure (4nf) and fifth commonplace structure (5nf). While standardization makes data sets more capable to help, they can in like manner make them more erratic because data is partitioned into quite countless particular tables. Two in data taking care of, a method associated with all data in a set that changes a specific quantifiable property. A valid example every utilization for a month could be secluded by the total, all things considered, to deal with a rate. Three, in programming, changing the design of a skimming point number so the furthest left digit in the mantissa is definitely not a zero.

Advantages of Normalization : Here we can perceive any reason why Normalization is an alluring possibility in RDBMS ideas.

• A more modest information base can be kept up as standardization disposes of the copy information. Generally speaking size of the information base is diminished thus.
• Better execution is guaranteed which can be connected to the above point. As information bases become lesser in size, the goes through the information turns out to be quicker and more limited in this way improving reaction time and speed.
• Narrower tables are conceivable as standardized tables will be tweaked and will have lesser segments which considers more information records per page.
• Fewer files per table guarantees quicker support assignments (file modifies).
• Also understands the choice of joining just the tables that are required.
• Reduces data redundancy and inconsistency: Normalization eliminates data redundancy and ensures that each piece of data is stored in only one place, reducing the risk of data inconsistency and making it easier to maintain data accuracy.
• Improves data integrity: By breaking down data into smaller, more specific tables, normalization helps ensure that each table stores only relevant data, which improves the overall data integrity of the database.
• Facilitates data updates: Normalization simplifies the process of updating data, as it only needs to be changed in one place rather than in multiple places throughout the database.
• Simplifies database design: Normalization provides a systematic approach to database design that can simplify the process and make it easier to develop and maintain the database over time.
• Supports flexible queries: Normalization enables users to query the database using a variety of different criteria, as the data is organized into smaller, more specific tables that can be joined together as needed.
• Helps ensure database scalability: Normalization helps ensure that the database can scale to meet future needs by reducing data redundancy and ensuring that the data is organized in a way that supports future growth and development.
• Supports data consistency across applications: Normalization can help ensure that data is consistent across different applications that use the same database, making it easier to integrate different applications and ensuring that all users have access to accurate and consistent data.

Disadvantages of Normalization :

• More tables to join as by spreading out information into more tables, the need to join table’s increments and the undertaking turns out to be more dreary. The information base gets more enthusiastically to acknowledge too.
• Tables will contain codes as opposed to genuine information as the rehashed information will be put away as lines of codes instead of the genuine information. Thusly, there is consistently a need to go to the query table.
• Data model turns out to be incredibly hard to question against as the information model is advanced for applications, not for impromptu questioning. (Impromptu question is an inquiry that can’t be resolved before the issuance of the question. It comprises of a SQL that is developed progressively and is typically built by work area cordial question devices.). Subsequently it is difficult to display the information base without understanding what the client wants.
• As the typical structure type advances, the exhibition turns out to be increasingly slow.
• Proper information is needed on the different ordinary structures to execute the standardization cycle effectively. Reckless use may prompt awful plan loaded up with significant peculiarities and information irregularity.
• Increased complexity: Normalization can increase the complexity of a database design, especially if the data model is not well understood or if the normalization process is not carried out correctly. This can lead to difficulty in maintaining and updating the database over time.
• Reduced flexibility: Normalization can limit the flexibility of a database, as it requires data to be organized in a specific way. This can make it difficult to accommodate changes in the data or to create new reports or applications that require different data structures.
• Increased storage requirements: Normalization can increase the storage requirements of a database, as it may require more tables and additional join operations to access the data. This can also increase the complexity and cost of the hardware required to support the database.
• Performance overhead: Normalization can result in increased performance overhead due to the need for additional join operations and the potential for slower query execution times.
• Loss of data context: Normalization can result in the loss of data context, as data may be split across multiple tables and require additional joins to retrieve. This can make it harder to understand the relationships between different pieces of data.
• Potential for data update anomalies: Normalization can introduce the potential for data update anomalies, such as insert, update, and delete anomalies, if the database is not properly designed and maintained.
• Need for expert knowledge: Proper implementation of normalization requires expert knowledge of database design and the normalization process. Without this knowledge, the database may not be optimized for performance, and data consistency may be compromised.