In Section 13.1 we describe the purpose of normalization. In Section 13.2 we discuss how normalization can be used to support relational database design. In Section 13.3 we identify and illustrate the potential problems associated with data redundancy in a base relation that is not normalized. In Section 13.4 we describe the main concept asso- ciated with normalization called functional dependency, which describes the relationship between attributes. We also describe the characteristics of the functional dependencies that are used in normalization. In Section 13.5 we present an overview of normalization and then proceed in the following sections to describe the process involving the three most commonly used normal forms, namely First Normal Form (1NF) in Section 13.6, Second Normal Form (2NF) in Section 13.7, and Third Normal Form (3NF) in Section 13.8. The 2NF and 3NF described in these sections are based on the primary key of a relation. In Section 13.9 we present general definitions for 2NF and 3NF based on all candidate keys of a relation. Throughout this chapter we use examples taken from the DreamHome case study described in Section 10.4 and documented in Appendix A.