maintaining the SM

[mzimmers]

Hi, all -

Last year, I implemented a fairly small DB, and for reasons that are no longer clear, I decided to use the separation model. Now I have to make some changes to the DB's tables and relationships.

1. When I make a change in the data file, do I have to manually replicate it in the interface file, or is there some cool way to automate this?

2. I'm also hoping to make changes on a copy of the DB in one location, and propogate those changes to another location. Basically, the same question as #1...do I have to manually replicate it, or can this be automated?

3. If I should decide that I probably didn't really need to use the SM, can I undo this easily, or is that like trying to get toothpaste back into the tube?

Thanks for any help.

mz

[FruitFul]

#2 - Assuming you are talking about the Interface level, this is one of the primary reasons it is promoted as a viable option in many instances. You make the changes to a single Interface, and just replace existing versions with copies of that updated file.

[mzimmers]

Thanks for the reply. So...if I am in fact making changes to tables/fields/relationships, am I correct in assuming that these changes must be manually replicated on "client" systems?

Perhaps the way to go is for the client to export all of his data, then get a new copy of the DB from me (which would be updated but empty), then import his data again?

[DataMate]

I've seen many versions of data separation models, some of them less than clever and a a result, a re-write is often easier than doing anything, you could post a clone and I'll take a look at the framework. I use separation for everything as I have found the pros FAR outway the cons

[DataMate]

The interface file usually has different relationships than the data file. In fact they are often completely different. The data file usually has less relationships and they would relate to lookups, calculations etc, and the interface will have all the GUI relationships for portals, and related fields etc. It should be rare that you have to replicate the same relationship in both.