CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)Data and Database FundamentalsHard
A database designer notices that a single Orders table stores customer name, address, and phone number repeated on every order row for that customer, causing update anomalies when a customer moves. Which process should the designer apply to reduce this redundancy by splitting the data into related tables?
- ANormalization
- BBackup scheduling
- CData mining
- DIndexing
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Normalization
Normalization is the process of organizing data into separate related tables to reduce redundancy and prevent update anomalies, such as duplicated customer information appearing on every order row. The customer data would be moved into its own Customers table and linked to Orders via a foreign key.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Backup scheduling relates to protecting data over time, not restructuring table design.
- C. Data mining involves analyzing data for patterns, not redesigning table structure to reduce redundancy.
- D. Indexing improves query performance by speeding up data lookups, but it does not reduce data redundancy.
Normalization
The process of organizing database tables to minimize data redundancy and prevent update anomalies, typically by splitting data into related tables.
- Repeated customer or product data across many rows is a sign a table needs normalization.
- Related data is separated into its own table and linked via foreign keys.
- Reduces the risk of inconsistent data when a value changes in only some rows.
Memory trick: Normalization is decluttering a messy junk drawer into labeled organized bins.