Preview
IB DP Computer Science — A3 Databases — Database design | SL | A3.2.7
📋 What You Will Learn
- Define denormalization and distinguish it from simply "not normalizing"
- Explain why reads on a normalized database cost more: multi-table joins
- Describe the main denormalization techniques: duplicated columns, precomputed values, merged and summary tables
- State the advantages and disadvantages of both normalized and denormalized designs
- Evaluate whether a given scenario justifies denormalization, weighing query simplicity against redundancy risk
⚖️ Why This Matters A café could keep its menu in one place behind the counter (one copy, always consistent, but every customer walks up to read it) — or print it on every table (instant to read, but a price change means reprinting them all and hoping none is missed). That is exactly the normalization/denormalization trade-off: one authoritative copy