Databases Illuminated, 4th Edition

6.10 Non-normalized Databases

Although normalization is a robust technique that works well for traditional relational databases and has been the de facto standard for good database design for many years, there are situations where a normalized database is not the best choice for the needs of the enterprise. In general, normalized relational databases are best used when the source data is relatively simple, such as employee data, records of sales transactions, student data, and inventory records.

Computerization of paper records involves inputting data so it can be stored in digital form. Normalization was designed to format the stored data to minimize duplication in order to save storage costs and to avoid data anomalies. The stored data does ...