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normalization

/ˌnɔːr.mə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ - n.

1 [colloq.] Storing each fact exactly once so that no one can find it, then joining nine tables to prove it was there all along.Keep. Punchy.This is the problem.

Working definition

2. The process of organizing tables to reduce redundancy and dependency, so each fact is stored once and updated in one place.

Filed

Seen in the wild · 1

Your Pipeline Learned to Call Yesterday's Breakage NormalDefinition Drift

See also

denormalizationCopying the value into six tables so the dashboard loads faster, then learning which copy is wrong six tables at a time.
schema designAn afternoon of careful structure followed by two years of columns named after the ticket that demanded them.
snowflake schemaWhat a star schema becomes after each team adds the one extra table that only their report needs.
third normal formA standard the schema fully met on the day of the design review and has been drifting away from ever since.