Relation in Boyce-Codd Normal Form

Question

What does it mean when we say that a relation is in Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF)?

Answer 1

A relation is in BCNF when every determinant in the relation is a candidate key. This means that any possible primary key can determine all other attributes in the relation. Attributes may not be determined by non-candidate key attributes or part of a composite candidate key. Thus it is said "I swear to construct my tables so that all nonkey columns are dependent on the key, the whole key and nothing but the key, so help me Codd!"