Practical SQL Handbook, The: Using SQL Variants, Fourth Edition

First Normal Form

First normal form requires that at each row-and-column intersection, there must be one and only one value and that value must be atomic. There can be no repeating groups in a table that satisfies first normal form.

This design principle reveals a problem with the new sales table. How will you handle a single sales order that includes multiple books, as shown in Figure 2.8? The general information is at the top of the sales order form: the order number, store number, and order date. Each numbered line contains details on a title. Lines used varies from order to order.

Figure 2.8. A bookbiz Sales Order Form

Recording multiple book ...