Hello Steve, > Ok, I'm a little new a this, so be gentle!! :) > > I was looking into the InnoDB engine for some tables I have, and would like > to use the PK/FK on some of the data. > > It appears that the PK/FK is mainly used for updating/deleting data, > correct? I can't use it to retreive data from multiple tables and have them > linked, other than a join? Or am I wrong?
It's mainly used for generating exceptions when the data is about to become invalid if you delete something that is used by another table. You can set it to automatically delete "child"-data or prevent these deletions so that the data in your database stays consistent. When retrieving data, you need to JOIN tables yourself into a result set. Alternatively, you can create a server side object called a VIEW that is basically a result set that looks like a single table. > Is there a good visual tool that I can use to build my tables, create the > PK/FK definations, and test how inserts, deletes, updates affect all the > tables involved?? What OS? For example, on Windows, we offer a free Lite version of our developer tool "Database Workbench". Martijn Tonies Database Workbench Lite for MySQL - FREE developer tool for MySQL! Upscene Productions http://www.upscene.com My thoughts: http://blog.upscene.com/martijn/ Database development questions? Check the forum! http://www.databasedevelopmentforum.com -- MySQL General Mailing List For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
