What is database normalization?

• A. A process to encrypt data.
• B. The process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.
• C. A method to index data.
• D. A storage engine.

Answer: (B)

Normalization is the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity by structuring a database into related tables and defining clear relationships with keys. By splitting information so that each fact appears in one place, updates and deletions become consistent and less error-prone, because a change in one place automatically propagates through related records. For example, keeping customer details in a separate table and referencing them from orders avoids repeating the same customer data for every order. This approach is guided by normal forms that help you eliminate unwanted dependencies and ensure data remains consistent as the database evolves. Encrypting data, indexing, and storage engines serve different purposes—security, performance, and physical storage, respectively—not the logical organization that normalization provides.