What are normalization and composite keys in databases?

What are normalization and composite keys in databases?

Normalization is the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy. Composite keys are a combination of two or more columns used to uniquely identify a record.

Can you explain the different normal forms?

Sure! There are several normal forms: 1NF (First Normal Form), 2NF (Second Normal Form), 3NF (Third Normal Form), and BCNF (Boyce-Codd Normal Form). Each form has specific rules to eliminate redundancy.

Why is normalization important?

Normalization is important because it helps maintain data integrity, reduces data duplication, and improves query performance.

How do composite keys work in practice?

Composite keys work by combining multiple columns to create a unique identifier for a record. For example, in a table of orders, a composite key could be made from 'OrderID' and 'ProductID'.

What are some common pitfalls when using composite keys?

Common pitfalls include complexity in queries, difficulty in maintaining relationships, and potential performance issues if not indexed properly.