Lesson 9

Question: How should a database modeler contrast third normal form with de-normalized design?
Third Normal Form (3NF) and de-normalized design are two approaches used in database modeling.
In 3NF, each table in the database represents a single entity or relationship, and data is organized in a way that eliminates redundancy and minimizes data anomalies. This is achieved by breaking down tables into smaller, more specialized ones, and establishing relationships between them using foreign keys. The goal is to minimize the amount of duplicate data in the database and ensure data consistency.
De-normalized design, on the other hand, is an approach that intentionally introduces redundancy in the database. This is done to improve query performance by reducing the need for complex joins and improving data retrieval speed. In a de-normalized design, data is stored in fewer tables than in a normalized design, and the tables may contain more columns.
The choice between 3NF and de-normalized design depends on the specific requirements of the database and its intended use. If data consistency and integrity are the highest priority, a 3NF design is likely the best choice. If query performance is the highest priority and data consistency can be compromised to some extent, a de-normalized design may be more appropriate.

Now let us wrap-up this module with a quiz.
Performance Tuning Overview - Quiz