Can you explain the process of database normalization and why it is important?

Database Administrator Interview Question: Can you explain the process of database normalization and why it is important?

Database normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to minimize redundancy and dependency by dividing large tables into smaller tables and defining relationships between them. This process helps improve data integrity, reduce data redundancy, and increase query performance in the database.

Normalization involves several steps, including identifying the attributes of each table, grouping related attributes into tables, defining primary and foreign keys to establish relationships between tables, and eliminating repeating groups and partial dependencies.

It is important to normalize a database because it helps in maintaining data integrity, reduces the risk of data anomalies, and ensures that the database is efficient and scalable. Normalization also simplifies the process of adding, deleting, and updating data in the database.

Overall, database normalization is a critical concept in database design that helps in improving data quality, reducing data redundancy, and enhancing the overall performance of the database system.