Steve might be close, and I'd suggest that you *do* keep the equipment in
one table but rather than using self-joins, use a join table. That way you
can have multiple items. For example, I have two computers (PC & MAC) and
ONE keyboard, ONE monitor, ONE mouse on my desk. I also have a switch that
toggles between the two boxes. I'm _also_ connected to printer(s) and other
devices (including other computers) on my network. That may or may not be
important now, but it might be in the future!!
--
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On 2/9/07 2:53 PM, "Steve Bennett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in whole or in
part:
> Bob,
>
> You might want to look at doing all of this in a single table and
> having a field where you select the equipment type such as: computer,
> printer, scanner, display. This will allow you to search a single
> field for your serial number.
>
> This design will allow you to track any equipment type without having
> to create separate tables for each one and will also make it easier
> for reporting as you can quickly find a computer and all of its
> peripherals or find all of the equipment in a specific location.
>
> You can still see what equipment is attached to a computer by
> creating a self join relationship.
>
> Steve
>
>
> On Feb 9, 2007, at 12:30 PM, Robert Sandkam wrote:
>
>> Simple question from someone trying to grow their single-table
>> database into a multiple-table database.
>>
>> I am building an inventory database.
>> It seems to me that I will create the following:
>>
>> computer table
>> display table
>> scanner table
>> printer table
>>
>> and so on
>>
>> Eventually I will create relationships between these tables, so
>> that I can show which devices are with which computers.
>> But that's not my immediate question.
>> Here is what I want to know first:
>>
>> Each of these tables will have a serial number field for the
>> devices recorded.
>> Now, suppose I need to find the location of a device with a certain
>> serial number, but I do not know wether it is a computer, printer,
>> etc
>> How do I create a serial number field that will allow me to search
>> all of the serial number fields in all of the tables?
>>
>> Or, can I use the same serial number fields in all of the tables?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> b0b
>>
>> --
>> Bob Sandkam
>> MacOS Support
>> Information Technology Specialist II
>> VCUarts Computer Center
>> School of the Arts
>> Virginia Commonwealth University
