normalized value

A normalized value is a value that has been processed in a way that makes it possible to be efficiently compared against other values. The normalization process is performed using matching rules and varies based on the type of matching rule. Some kinds of transformations that may be made include:

• Converting all characters to lowercase (or uppercase) to eliminate insignificant differences in capitalization

• Eliminating unnecessary spaces in the value

• Converting values which may have multiple representations into a common form