What is the purpose of database normalization?

The purpose of database normalization is fundamentally about minimizing redundancy and dependency within a database. Normalization is a systematic approach that organizes the fields and tables of a database to ensure that data is stored efficiently and logically.

By doing so, it reduces the risk of data anomalies, such as update, insert, and delete anomalies, which can occur when data is duplicated across multiple tables. This organization not only helps in maintaining data integrity but also improves the clarity of the database structure. Each piece of information is stored in one place, resulting in a more streamlined database design that allows for easier management of the data over time.

In contrast to the other options, enhancing the visual aspects of the database, increasing the size limit, or directly improving query speed are not the primary objectives of normalization. While a well-normalized database can indirectly lead to some performance benefits and clarity in querying, the core goal remains the reduction of redundancy and the establishment of a solid dependency structure.