Third normal form made easy

Abstract

Third normal form is defined in different inequivalent ways in elementary data base textbooks. The method given in many of these books for decomposing a file into third normal form is non-algorithmic, depends on human recognition of a pattern, and has severe limitations and unexplained complexities. This is not necessary. There is an excellent algorithmic method available which is easy to learn, and which can be programmed. The objective of this paper is to examine the differences concerning how third normal form is presented in various textbooks, and to present an easy way of introducing it to students. This article appeared previously in the June 1986 issue of SIGCSE BULLETIN.