Modernization of the Second Normal Form and Boyce-Codd Normal Form for Relational Theory

The task of designing relational databases has always been the subject of scientific research, as it is associated with a number of interrelated steps. The result of each step is the development of models for presenting the future database with further refinement and, finally, the creation of an adequate relational database as a set of relations with the corresponding links between them. The article focuses on the normalization of databases, as one of the steps to create a datalogical model, namely, the use of the first three Normal Forms. As a result of the analysis carried out in the article, it was concluded that the definition of the Second Normal Form can be modernized and thus achieve two goals: to ensure the correct creation of potential primary keys and, thereafter, the correct external connections between relations, even before creating the data schema in a specific relational database. Moreover, to reconsider the necessity of applying the so-called “strengthened” or a higher version of the Third Normal Form, which speaks of mutual dependencies between key and non-key attributes.