Multiple Databases or Tables

[Spidey]

Hi,

I am developing a database. If my database has products and inventory and quote information, and customer, should i combine them as tables inside a database or create multiple database for each topic.

Under what circumstances I need to develop 2 database for them to link to each other. Thanks.

Kent

[David McQueen]

If I am understanding you correctly, the prime question is: Should I have

a.)multiple tables in one file or

b.)single tables in multiple files?

Unless there are some specific reasons not to, go with option (a). It is easier to maintain and deploy. Option ( is essentially going back to FMP 5-6 days.

The secondary question seems to be: When do I have to relate two tables as opposed to just putting data in one table?

a.) Do some research on Entity/Attribute and Entity/Relationship diagrams. A specific reference that I would recommend that is not specifically for Filemaker Pro is Database Design for Mere Mortals. I am sorry that I cannot remember the author right off. I think the last name of the author is Hernendez.

b.) If the field represents an unique attribute of the entity you are trying to describe, that field belongs in the table.

c.) If the field can have several different silmultaneous values that could all pertain to a particular entity at the same time, that field and it's associated information should reside in a separate related table.

It is hard to get more in depth than that from what you have written. Hope this helps.