On Sat, 16 Apr 2005, David Blomstrom wrote: > >--- Kim Briggs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> David, >> >> In reading through miscellaneous database design >> text on the web, I >> read just the other day that you should not try to >> include meaningful >> data in your key values. I assume there will be >> some kind of "lookup" >> tables for species, phylum, whatever. Trying to >> make your key field >> "smart" seems like way too much overhead and >> complexity. I'm >> wondering why, if the database is enormous, are you >> being so short and >> cryptic with the "user-friendly" values? > >Primarily because I want to make it easier to work >with. If I create a new page that focuses on the king >salmon, I'd rather type in $MyID = 'onc'; than $MyID = >'Oncorhynchus'. Or if I create an array, I'd rather >list rhi, hip, equ than Rhinocerotidae, >Hippopotamidae, Equidae. > >In fact, I'll have to discard big chunks of the >animals database I received on a CD, as it's way to >big (several MB) and includes living things I won't >cover (bacteria, viruses, etc.). > >I'm also trying to decide on my URL structure. I could >follow tradition and map out the lion like this: > >mammals.geobop.org/carnivora/felidae/panthera/leo/ > >...but I'm thinking of shortening the URL's: > >mammals.geobop.org/car/fel/pan/leo/ > >I'm just trying to come up with something that's more >user friendly.
That is a really good idea. This data is horrible and messy. If you could come up with a 'biologist friendly' system it would be really nice to work with. However, I think the message is - make the database sound, and build any 'cleanup' (userfriendlyness) ontop of a robust data model. > >Thanks. > > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around >http://mail.yahoo.com > > -- MySQL General Mailing List For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
