Normalization or Orthogonalization?

 

Generally normalization refers to the process of standardizing disparate measurements for the purpose of comparability.  Why do we refer to relational DB design as normalization?  The goal is not to be able to compare data or the system itself to something.  The goal is to represent the data in as concise a manner as possible.  This more closely resembles the process of orthogonalization from linear algebra.

One of the first things you learn in linear algebra is how to make a matrix orthogonal.  This is taught early because it's a necessary step to conduct prior to attempting more complex operations.  Relational database design is essentially the same exercise, with the same purpose.  Eliminate the redundancy in your model to make your life easier once you start carrying out more complex operations.


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