What is the role of data normalization process in relational databases and why is it necessary?

Normalization of data in relational databases is the process of organizing data in such a way as to minimize redundancy and ensure data integrity.

The main goals of normalization:

• Elimination of data duplication, which reduces storage volume and prevents inconsistency.
• Ensuring data integrity through proper structuring of tables and relationships.
• Simplifying updates and maintenance of the database.

The normalization process typically involves several normal forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, etc.), each imposing certain requirements on the structure of tables.

Example: instead of storing information about clients and their orders in one table with repeating client data, the data is divided into two tables — "Clients" and "Orders", linked by a key. This reduces duplication and makes data management easier.