What are the potential drawbacks of over-normalizing a database?

It is important to note that over-normalization is not always a bad thing. In some cases, it is necessary to over-normalize a database in order to achieve the desired level of data integrity. However, it is important to weigh the benefits of over-normalization against the drawbacks before deciding to over-normalize a database. Here are some specific examples of the drawbacks of over-normalization: Performance, Development, and Maintenance, Flexibility, Data anomalies.

Advantages and Drawbacks of Higher Normal Forms (3NF and BCNF) 1. Increased Complexity: As tables are divided into smaller pieces (like splitting authors and publishers), database design and queries can be more complex. Developers might have to write more complex SQL queries with joins to get all the data they need. 2. Query Performance Impact: While higher normal forms improve data integrity, frequent use of joins to bring data together from multiple tables can slow down query performance, especially in large databases. 3. Over-normalization: In some cases, going too far in normalization can create too many small tables, which could complicate database maintenance and reduce performance without significant benefit

Overdo of many things be it normalization or indexes will have impact on performance.You can't replicate one database design for another system.You can have learning from it and evolve your design as per your business requirement.Always while designing think of business usecase that you are going to solve but also consider data growth volume which will come in future.Test your design with desired data volume or load so that any changes in database design can be worked upon during start of project.

Creating a simple yet effective database model take years of expertise.If you have normalised way too much then it may have some additional overhead while data is being retrieved from database and any kind of deletion has to be taken care properly in application logic.Ideally we should not encounter this in production system and by any ways we have to streamline our database design during testing phase only.

Any kind of changes in existing database design should follow proper review mechanism by either some senior folks or by your peers.If it is new database implementation always work on feedback given as over-normalization can be corrected easily during design phase but still if you are not able to confirm during design phase better do a small POC so that you should know limitations with respect to your current database design.