Second (business) normal form
Learning outcomes for this page:
1. Be able to provide a definition of second normal
form
2. Be able to describe and carry out the process to
produce tables that are in second normal form
We are now ready to tackle second normal form.
A table is in second normal form when:
'Each field in a record is (functionally) dependent on the entire key of that record’
In other words each record is fully functionally dependent on the key.
To investigate the method used to convert a table in first normal form into one in second normal form a surgical instruments table set up by a operating theatre manager will be used.
The dependencies for the various fields in the table are shown below:
To convert this table to second normal form we split the record up into two. This is pretty much the same procedure as done with the multi-valued fields problem encountered in first normal form.
Portfolio exercise: Second normal form sect7|07|08
Time: 15 minutes
For: Clinicians | NHS managers | Non healthcare workers
Is the surgeons procedure table in second normal form? If not solve the problem.Written by Robin Beaumont & Chris Noden e-mail:robin@ieg-net.co.uk or chrisnoden@hotmail.com
