title: Is it necessary to create a table for all repeated data?
body: <p>I hope this doesn't come across as too much of a stupid question. I'm slightly confused by the concepts of database normalisation, it seems to suggest that where there is any sort of predictable or repeated data in a particular field/column then it's best to create a new table and link by foreign ID, is this really necessary for every situation?</p>
  
  <p>For example, fields like <strong><em>Gender</em></strong>, <strong><em>Business Type</em></strong> (has no strict functional purpose, just information), <strong><em>Salutation</em></strong> (Mr, Mrs etc), all these will be repeated throughout the table bit it seems a bit over the top and hassling to me to have to create a new table for these? It also mans I have to use a lot more JOINs when retrieving data.</p>
  
  <p>At which point does it become necessary to use separate tables for repeated data, or is it best practice to do it for everything?</p>