Re: Whats more efficient?

Tom wrote:
>
> >
> > While this would be a good place for multiple tables, you could also
> > bit-map the permissions. Something like the file permissions in Unix.
> > i.e.: Area1 = 1, Area2 = 2, Area3 = 4, Area4 = 8......
> > Access to Area1 & Area2 would be 3, access to Area2 & Area3 would be 6,
> > and so on. This would be a "challenging" method, as you need to truely
> > understand the bit-map, but it is efficient.
> >
>
> I like the Idea and see how its much more efficient. Could you recommend a
> way to include a level of access in addition to Y/N. An example would be
> that 'a user has write permission in area 3'. Also - would you be able to
> direct me to any additional information available reguarding this method?

As soon as you put more than boolean information per area, I'd not recommend using a bit map for this. I'd suggest you go with your multi table design and add a column access_level. Otherwise, this will get very ugly to maintain. And also keep in mind that the number of areas (perhaps multiplied by access levels) is restricted by the size of the type used for the access map.

IMHO, bit maps are only good for mapping (at least more or less) unrelated boolean (Y/N) information.

I don't think you should not have a problem concerning performance when you use the multi table approach in a decent RDMBS with appropriate keys (and indexes) defined.

Regards,
Heinz Received on Mon Apr 02 2001 - 09:07:39 CEST