> The 4GL dream hinges on figuring out how to transition from #2 -> #1 seamlessly I guarantee you there is no algorithmic way to do this. Going from "big flat

> The 4GL dream hinges on figuring out how to transition from #2 -> #1 seamlessly I guarantee you there is no algorithmic way to do this. Going from "big flat file" to "nicely organized 3+NF schema" adds a lot of underlying domain knowledge and information to the system. You're asking for "enhance!" on the database schema. It will always require expert understanding.