Personal data databases often seem to have variable information that
doesn't fit all that well in relational databases. For example,
multiple phone numbers for different purposes.
One thing I'm considering is to have a variable text field that
contains XML-encoded data to handle all this miscellaneous stuff that
not all members have.
Another solution (non-mysql) is to use LDAP, which is specifically
designed for this kind of application. LDAP servers generally use
one of the dbm libraries, although they have been implemented using
SQL engines as well. There is an open LDAP implementation at
http://www.openldap.com. I've used it before, it works. It's also
handy for community websites, as your members can set up their
Netscape browsers to connect directly to the LDAP server.
GB
On Friday 11 May 2001 09:43 am, Eric Fitzgerald opined:
> I would personally suggest they be broken up. I've noticed in the
> past some speed issues when you have too many columns.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard Reina" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 11:26 AM
> Subject: Hom many columns is too many?
>
> > I am designing an in house database app. for sales/contact
> > management. We've identified out about 75 things to know about a
> > customer/contact from there name all the way to where they went
> > to highschool. Should all these attributes be in one table since
> > they all describe the contact or should they be broken up into
> > seperate tables like education, professional backround, business
> > backtound special interests?
> >
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