The three main stages of normalization are collectively known as what?

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Normalization in relational databases organizes data to minimize redundancy and update anomalies by applying a sequence of standard rules. The three main stages—First Normal Form, Second Normal Form, and Third Normal Form—are grouped under one umbrella label: normal forms. This term captures the idea that each form is a stricter rule set built on the previous one, and together they define a family of standards for structuring data. First Normal Form ensures atomic column values and unique rows, establishing a basic, flat structure. Second Normal Form further refines this by removing partial dependencies of non-key attributes on candidate keys, splitting data so that non-key information depends on whole keys. Third Normal Form goes even further to remove transitive dependencies, so non-key attributes depend only on the key itself. Since the question asks for the collective name of these stages, Normal Forms is the best answer, serving as the overarching category for 1NF through 3NF. Higher forms exist, but the classic trio is encompassed by this term.