N00b: Qs Regarding Tables

[Shaan]

Hiya,

 

Baby steps here in building an application. Have gone thru the Lynda tutorials on FM12 and followed the exercises. So am comfortable using FM.

 

As a test build, I am working on a kindergarten db. I have identified all the fields and the required PK/FK required for relationships.

 

My question is:

 

1. Do I really need multiple tables or can I cut it down to one or two tables only??

 

2. If I go with multiple tables, would it be easier for a newbie like me to create each of the tables as a separate file or put all the tables within one file??

 

Thankz for any help/guidance. If some Guru wants to have a look at my tables, I don't mind sending across an excel file with all the fields and tables.

 

Appreciate.

 

Shaan

 

[Wim Decorte]

You need to create tables for all the entities in your concept.  Every noun in your story.  Don't try to combine different entities in one or two tables.

 

The benefit of different files has more to do with with efficient backups and future updates etc.  So for now don't worry about it too much, go for one file to make your life easier.

[Kris M]

Shaan.

Welcome to FM.

My question is:

 

1. Do I really need multiple tables or can I cut it down to one or two tables only??

 

It all depends on what you want to accomplish with the data and your tolerance for denormalization. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization

 

2. If I go with multiple tables, would it be easier for a newbie like me to create each of the tables as a separate file or put all the tables within one file??

 

Their is a school of thought that Filemaker likes it best when you have one file - many tables and deviation from that state requires extra "effort", for lack of a better word. See threads on data seperation on this forum or http://www.filemakerpapers.com/papers/201106dataseparation.html. Multi file solutions are not uncommon but that design choice is usually made in order to meet user requirements or deployment environment constraints.

 

A black and white answer to your questions needs more info on what data you are trying to collect and what you want to do with it.

 

In the beginning keep it simple...

 

Good luck.

Keep learning and asking questions.

Oh yea... and listen to Wim : )

 

K

[Shaan]

Thank you so much Wim & Kris.

 

So it will be multiple tables within one file. Here we go!! Hopefully my relationships are fine.

 

Will be back at my next roadblock.

 

Appreciate.

[Lee Smith]

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This topic has been moved from "FileMaker 13 General Discussion" to "Relationships".