What is the purpose of 'database normalization'?

The purpose of database normalization is to eliminate redundancy and apply a consistent structure to the database. This process involves organizing the fields and tables of a database to minimize duplication of data and ensure that relationships between data are logical and efficient.

Normalization typically involves dividing a large table into smaller, related tables and defining relationships between them, which not only reduces the potential for data anomalies but also makes the overall database design more flexible and easier to maintain. By adhering to normalization principles, databases are structured in a way that promotes efficient data organization and integrity, leading to a system where data can be accurately accessed and managed with less redundancy.

This process is different from ensuring maximum database size, enhancing security, or improving speed in data retrieval. Each of those areas might be important aspects of database management, but they do not capture the primary objective of normalization, which is focused specifically on the structural integrity and efficiency of data organization within the database.