What is the process of converting a denormalized database table to a normalized database table in database management?

The process of converting a denormalized database table to a normalized database table in database management is known as database normalization. It involves restructuring the table and its relationships to eliminate redundancy and improve data integrity and efficiency.

The process typically consists of the following steps:

1. Identify the functional dependencies: Analyze the data in the denormalized table to identify the functional dependencies between attributes. This helps in understanding the relationships and dependencies within the data.

2. Define the primary key: Determine the primary key for the table, which uniquely identifies each record. The primary key is crucial for establishing relationships with other tables.

3. Eliminate repeating groups: Identify any repeating groups or multivalued attributes in the denormalized table and remove them by creating separate tables for those attributes. This helps in reducing redundancy and improving data integrity.

4. Create separate tables for related data: Identify related data that can be separated into different tables to establish proper relationships. This involves breaking down the denormalized table into multiple smaller tables based on the identified dependencies.

5. Establish relationships: Define the relationships between the newly created tables using foreign keys. Foreign keys are used to establish connections between tables and maintain referential integrity.

6. Normalize the tables: Apply normalization rules, such as the first normal form (1NF), second normal form (2NF), and third normal form (3NF), to ensure that the tables are properly structured and free from redundancy.

7. Review and refine: Review the normalized tables and make any necessary refinements or adjustments to ensure that the data is properly organized and the relationships are accurately represented.

By following these steps, a denormalized database table can be converted into a normalized database table, resulting in a more efficient and structured database design.