Normalization is a systematic approach to organizing data in a relational database. It aims to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity by breaking down large tables into smaller, more manageable tables. The core idea is to minimize data duplication, which can lead to inconsistencies and errors when updating or deleting data. Different levels of normalization, known as normal forms, define specific rules for organizing data. A well-normalized database is easier to maintain, update, and query, leading to more efficient and reliable applications. For example, imagine a database storing customer orders. Without normalization, you might store all order details (customer name, address, order items) in a single table. This leads to redundancy if a customer places multiple orders. Normalization would split this into separate tables for customers, orders, and order items, linked by foreign keys, eliminating redundancy and improving data integrity.