Im not an expert but to me I think of Data Normalization is using the least
amount of tables and fields and repetitive data to accomplish a task. So
tables are only linked by a common identifier.
Like if you have an employee table
ID---Name---Location
1----Charles---MPU
2----Beth------UPS
If you create a time entry table it should look like this
ID---Emp_id---time
1-----1--------4.5
2-----1--------3.5
3-----2---------5
Instead you will see on a surprisingly regular basis people that do this
ID---Emp_id---Name---Location---Time
And then they will just repeat in every table the persons name and there
location instead of using the identifier and then just joining the tables in
a query. I've noticed lots of people do it this way cause they don't
understand queries and it's a lot simpler to create criteria off of one table.
But once you get used to seeing the smallest common denominator of tables
and fields to accomplish your task you will be much better off.
