What is normalization in a database?

Short answer: Normalization is the process of organizing a database to reduce redundancy and dependency by dividing large tables into smaller, manageable tables and defining relationships between them. This process aims to improve the structure of the database by minimizing the chances of data anomalies (insertion, update, and deletion anomalies).

Real-world example (ShopNest)

Product and Category are separate tables (normalized). The order line stores product id + price snapshot—not a giant duplicated product blob.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.