Normalization is the process of organizing data in a relational database to minimize data redundancy and improve data integrity. The goal of normalization is to divide a database into two or more tables and define relationships between the tables to ensure that data is stored in a consistent and predictable way.
Normalization is typically performed in a series of steps called normal forms. The most commonly used normal forms are:
First Normal Form (1NF), Second Normal Form (2NF), Third Normal Form (3NF), Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) and Fourth Normal Form (4NF) and Fifth Normal Form (5NF) are more advanced normal forms that address certain types of data redundancy and anomalies.