DB Normalization
Database normalization—organizing data into multiple related tables with fewer columns each—improves performance through faster sorting, more efficient indexes, and reduced null values, though excessive joins across many tables can become counterproductive. Key design principles include giving each table a unique primary key identifier, storing data for only one entity type per table, minimizing nullable columns, and avoiding repeating values by using separate linked tables instead. When complete redesign isn't feasible, selective normalization of large tables or the use of views can achieve better design without disrupting existing applications.