What does data normalization aim to achieve?

Data normalization aims to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity within a database. The primary goal of normalization is to organize data in such a way that dependencies are properly enforced and anomalies are eliminated. By breaking down a database into smaller, related tables and establishing relationships between them, normalization minimizes the duplication of data, ensuring that each piece of data is stored only once. This not only conserves storage space but also enhances data integrity, as updates, deletions, or insertions can be executed more reliably without causing inconsistencies.

When you normalize a database, you create a structure where changes made in one table propagate correctly through relationships to other tables, thereby maintaining accurate and consistent data. This structural integrity is crucial for databases that rely on precise information for effective query execution and data retrieval.

The focus of normalization is on the optimization of data organization rather than on aspects like performance enhancement, backup creation, or user access control, which are important but serve different purposes in database management.