General database question, please.

Hi. Thanks for reading this.

I'm relatively new to db (20 yrs c, c++, FORTRAN) and I need help with this db problem. I don't know how to design the db field, and then populate it with the correct data. I was hoping someone could help.

Here's ths scoop.

First, Oracle 8.0.5, Windows NT 4.0, Oracle Forms 2.1.

Now, I have a form for change management. On this form, I have a (sounds like Old McDonnald) FRAME called AFFECTED ITEMS. In this FRTAME, I have 5 CHECK BOXES labeled HW, SW, Doc, Config, Other. This FRAME is a multi-select check box thingee, so that I can check HW and SW and Doc if I need to.

First question. What kind of field (or fileds) do I build in the db to handle this. I thought of one long text field, and seperate the items by a comma, then parse them out to see which one(s) are checked on the FORM. Sounds like a trigger to me!

Next, How do I determine (from the db field) which check boxes should be checked on the form for each record?

Example:

                AFFECTED ITEMS

		HW	X
		SW	X
		Doc	X
		Config	
		Other

I really have no clue how to do this, and would really appreciate any advise.

Thanks,
Richard Hollingsworth
Boeing Received on Thu Jun 08 2000 - 00:00:00 CDT