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I have an interesting issue that I am working
through and was hoping to get some insight from the group. I will do my best to
explain the scenario and hope I do not confuse anyone.
We are storing data regarding some analyses
that are being run here. We also have a set of tables in which we store
information "about" the types of analyses being run. I am using these tables to
do a validity check on what file types (or input files) are acceptable for a
certain type of analyses.
I have the following tables:
An ANALYSIS table which merely holds the name
and some specifics about the type of analysis.
A FILETYPES table which stores information
about the types of input and output files for each analysis. We have chosen to
use file extensions as a way to identify a file type.
Some analyses can have multiple input and/or
output files so I have linking tables between the ANALYSIS and FILETYPES
table.
My question is due to a recent development.
Apparently when an analysis is run the individual can specify what type of file
the output can be. Since these tables are holding the data regarding the "form"
of the analysis I must somehow show that each analysis can result in various
filetypes. I thought I had done this and had an "extension" field in the
FILETYPES table. Now I am being told that each of these input or output files
can have more than one file extension.
My solution was to add another table to hold
the extensions. I think this is better than allowing extensions to concatenate
within a field in the filetypes table which was suggested by a programmer here.
Her intention was to parse the field. I prefer a more
"appropriate" solution, but I am not convinced mine is the best solution since
there will be some repeating data in the extensions table. Various analyses can
be associated with the same file types so the extension field in the extensions
table will have repeating values.
I have attached a small schema with these few
tables to assist with your understanding our issue.
I would appreciate suggestions.
Thank you,
Jodi Kanter
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