Lookup Tables, the right way ?
From: <jason_at_monitorsoft.com>
Date: 10 Mar 2006 08:36:07 -0800
Message-ID: <1142008567.819531.96590_at_u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com>
We are currently debating what the best way to implement lookup tables in our databases, and we there are two opposing optinions.
Date: 10 Mar 2006 08:36:07 -0800
Message-ID: <1142008567.819531.96590_at_u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com>
We are currently debating what the best way to implement lookup tables in our databases, and we there are two opposing optinions.
- If you are defining a database table that requires a lookup table, then the foreign key between the tow tables should be an integer, and the lookup table should contain two columns, a sequence number that is used for the foreign keys, and the actual value. For example :
Table Cars
Description ColorID(fk)
Ford Escort 1Mini Metro 2 Table Color ColorID(fk) Color 1 Red 2 Green
2. If you are defining a database table that requires a lookup table, then the foreign key between the two tables should be a character field, and the lookup table should consist of a character field of the same length. For example:
Description Color(fk)
Ford Escort Red Mini Metro Green Table Color Color(fk) Red Green
I would appreciate your opinions. Received on Fri Mar 10 2006 - 17:36:07 CET