Database Design Question - Holding Additional Data
Oct 1, 2007
I've done some basic database design in the past, but am a relative newbie to design. I have recently come across a situation I'm not sure how to handle. Here's the situation...
Assume we've got a contacts table which holds information about our contacts. All contacts have the same basic information - name, address, telephone, etc. Each contact is of a certain type - let's just say a, b, and c, for ease. This contact type is stored in the contacts table. Now, on contacts of type b, I also have to store some additional data. What it is doesn't really matter. I found a way to set this up, but I'm not sure that I'm going about it the right way, and would love some advice on the proper way to do this. Basically, what I did is create my contacts table:
Contact_id, contactName, ContactAddress, ContactPhone, ContactType.
Created a contacttype table
ContactType, ContactTypeDescription, ContactAddInfo
What I've done is left contactaddInfo as a nullable field. When it has a value, that value is the name of a table which holds the additional information that I need for the contact... So when I'm running a query, I can tell if I need to reference another table by checking the value of ContactAddInfo.
I can't imagine that this is the best solution, but it was the first thing that popped into my head, and it's a really small database that's using it. However, I'm now being faced with the same situation in a much more important, larger database, and I'd love to know the 'right' way.
I'm working on an application that allows users to set up scheduled time based reports. Each scheduled report creates a SQL Agent job associated with a schedule.The default time to fire these off is 8:00 AM. There are several hundred. DWH and it has no trouble running hundreds of reports all fired off at the same time.
There are several ETL processes and occasionally they don't complete before our verbal SLA of 8:00 AM.
My problem is on days where the ETL runs past 8:00 AM I wan't to hold these scheduled jobs from firing off.
SELECT TOP 1 @From = CONVERT(char,CreateDate,101) FROM CustomerInfo WHERE TicketNum = (SELECT TOP 1 TicketNum FROM CustomerInfo WHERE CreateDate <= DATEADD(mm, -30, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP) ORDER BY CreateDate DESC) SELECT @To = CONVERT(char,GETDATE(),101)
SET @DBName = 'Archive_SafeHelp' CREATE DATABASE @DBName + ' ' + @From + ' ' + @To END
I am trying to create a database based on the name contained in the variables. I get the error 'Incorrect syntax near '@DBName'. How do i accomplish this?
I don't know where to post this kind of stuff so here goes...
I have maintenance plans which sometimes fail because the delete step reports that the old backup file is "in use." I have no idea how to determine what Windows thinks is holding the file. HOw do you determine who is holding a file hostage??
I have a system that basically stores a database within a database (I'msure lots have you have done this before in some form or another).At the end of the day, I'm storing the actual data generically in acolumn of type nvarchar(4000), but I want to add support for unlimitedtext. I want to do this in a smart fashion. Right now I am leaningtowards putting 2 nullable Value fields:ValueLong ntext nullableValueShort nvarchar(4000) nullableand dynamically storing the info in one or the other depending on thesize. ASP.NET does this exact very thing in it's Session State model;look at the ASPStateTempSessions table. This table has both aSessionItemShort of type varbinary (7000) and a SessionItemLong of typeImage.My question is, is it better to user varbinary (7000) and Image? I'mthinking maybe I should go down this path, simply because ASP.NET does,but I don't really know why. Does anyone know what would be the benifitof using varbinary and Image datatypes? If it's just to allow saving ofbinary data, then I don't really need that right now (and I don't thinkASP.NET does either). Are there any other reasons?thanks,dave
Hello guys, I am a hobbyist programmer and now that I have started asp.net, I was wondering about the correct way to enter data into a table. For example, i have a table called players with a field called status. What should I code the status as? "Active" or "Retired" or 1 and 0? I thought using 1 and 0 would be better as far as database size, but it is pretty difficult to understand how to modify the gridview. I come from PHP and everything is a lot more accesible there as far as modification of output. Thanks in advance!
We have a quad sql server that runs OLTP transactions at the rate of 100's per second (read & Write).
We used to have all the tables on 1 file but started to notice high contention on this file. We added 3 more files to match the processor number. The problem is that the 3 additional files are not filling with data. Does anyone know why this happens or can reccommend a fix? -- will
Ok, I'm doing a football database for fixtures and stuff. The problem I am having is that in a fixture, there is both a home, and an away team. The tables as a result are something like this:
It's not exactly like that, but you get the point. The question is, can I do a fixture query which results in one record per fixture, showing both teams details. The first in a hometeam field and the second in an away team field.
Fixture contains the details about the fixture like date and fixture id and has it been played
Team contains team info like team id, name, associated graphic
TeamFixture is the table which links the fixture to it's home and away team.
TeamFixture exists to prevent a many to many type relationship.
Make sense? Sorry if this turns out to be really easy, just can't get my head around it at the mo!
Hi - Is there a resource I can go to that lists people who I pay to talk me through stuff like getting SQL Server Express installed, get some sample data input and then get that data into Excel? I just cannot seem to get any help that works for me to learn SQL Server; the books are obtuse, the online help too indirect. Once I get something working I hope to enhance it on my own, but I have been stuck at the start for a very long time. There is stuff for me to do that is not getting done.
I already posted this question in the Wrong Forum.
However I was wondering if it is possible to create a variable that holds the filename as an expression. I am using a For each loop to pick up files and i want to insert the 'Filename' as a colum so that i can differentiate among the rows in my destination Table.
Using the 'Derived Colum' in DTS I can link the colum to the variable. However i do not know how to create the variable which will store the filename for each file....
Any Clues... Would really appreciate the help.....
I have about 160 packages in my system, all using about 20 shared datasources. When changing one of the datasource's connection (changing the server name), I need to open every one of my packages and press OK to allow the remapping to the new server. (this is something I don't understand: wasn't this the meaning of using a share datasource in the first place? what's the advantages in that case?)
So, I have heard about Package configuration, and how it supposed to support all of this, But I don't understand something: The configuration is set to a certain package. If I have 2 packages, using the same two (of four) Datasources. Using the configuration wizard from one of the packages, I mark the connection string from the datasource. I need to do the same in the other package? will the configuration table hold only one value for that connection? If I change the value of the connection string will it affect all the packages using that datasource or only the ones using configuration?
this querry below works perfect when i assign the us.UserID = 29 but i need to be able to use the @UsersMaxID variable..... when i debug all of my values are right where they need to be... even this on ((( @UsersMaxID ))) but for some reason it will not work with the next select statement...
can someone make the pain go away and help me here..??
erik..
GOSET ANSI_NULLS ON GO ALTER PROCEDURE AA ASDECLARE @GenericColumn Varchar (200) DECLARE @GenericValue Varchar (200) SET @GenericColumn = 'FirstName'SET @GenericValue = 'Erik' DECLARE @SQL NVARCHAR(4000) DECLARE @UserID INT DECLARE @UsersMaxID INT DECLARE @MaxID INT declare @tempResult varchar (1000) -------------------------------------------Define the #Temporary Table----------------------------------------------CREATE TABLE #UsersTempTable ( ID int IDENTITY PRIMARY KEY, UserID [int], FirstName [varchar](30), LastName [varchar](30), CompanyName [varchar](200), Address1 [varchar](75), Address2 [varchar](75), City [varchar](75),ActiveInd [int], Zip [varchar](10), WkPhone [varchar](12),HmPhone [varchar](12), Fax [varchar](12), Email [varchar](200), Website [varchar](200), UserType [varchar](20),Title [varchar](100),Note [text], StateCD [char](2), CountryCD [char](2), CompanyPhoto [varchar](50), CompanyDescr [varchar](2000)) ---------------------------------------Fill the temp table with the Customers data-----------------------------------SET @SQL = 'INSERT INTO #UsersTempTable (UserID, FirstName, LastName, CompanyName, Address1, Address2, City, ActiveInd, Zip, WkPhone, HmPhone,Fax, Email, Website, UserType, Title, Note, StateCD, CountryCD, CompanyPhoto, CompanyDescr) Select Users.UserID, Users.FirstName,Users.LastName, Users.CompanyName, Users.Address1, Users.Address2, Users.City, Users.ActiveInd, Users.Zip, Users.WkPhone, Users.HmPhone,Users.Fax,Users.Email,Users.Website, Users.UserType,Users.Title, Users.Note,Users.StateCD, Users.CountryCD,Users.CompanyPhoto,Users.CompanyDescr FROM USERS WHERE ' + @GenericColumn +' = ''' + @GenericValue + '''' EXEC sp_executesql @SQL SET @MaxID = (SELECT MAX(ID) FROM #UsersTempTable)SET @UsersMaxID = (SELECT UserID From #UsersTempTable WHERE ID = @MaxID) SELECT SpecialtyName FROM Specialty s INNER JOIN UserSpecialty us ON s.SpecialtyCD = us.SpecialtyCD WHERE us.UserID = 29 SELECT * FROM #UsersTempTable
==========================================================================================SET @UsersMaxID = (SELECT UserID From #UsersTempTable WHERE ID = @MaxID) SELECT SpecialtyName FROM Specialty s INNER JOIN UserSpecialty us ON s.SpecialtyCD = us.SpecialtyCD WHERE us.UserID = 29 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< i need @UserMaxID ........RIGHT HERE
I am connecting to a new SQL Server 2008 R2 database using SSMS from my ADMIN VM workstation. I bring up a Stored Procedure and make a change.... I execute the Stored Procedure... after it finishes.... I exit out without saving to a file.... I go back in and my change was not held.
I can do the exact same process with an old SQL Server 2005 database. Is there a permission I am missing to set to be able to do this on the 2008 database.
I have this query that returns the largest value in a row, but i need to know the column name that this value is in as well. any help in advance is appreciated
select clientID, (select max(incomeValue) from (select earnings as incomeValue union all select unemployment union all select pensionRetirement union all select alimony union all select childSupport union all select dividendInterest union all select SS union all select SSI union all select SSDI union all select veteranBenefits union all select FIP union all select workStudy union all select other union all select otherHHWS) as income) as MaxIncomeValue from tbl_income
For a database, we have 4 data files in a particular file group and the file sizes are almost 70 GB each.
Do I come across any performance issues if I create/pre-allocate an additional data file in the same file group so that the existing files don't grow too much?
Warning: Process Being Freed While Holding Dataserver Semaphore
I understand that this is a bug. And that it is supposed to be fixed in service pack 4. However, has anyone experienced or figured out how to get rid of this message?
Here's a quick script that will return the inputbuffer of processes that are holding more than a certain threshold of locks (by default, 10, but it's easy to modify). Handy for tracking down what query is holding those 1400 locks.
Yes, it uses a cursor. I'd welcome amendment by anyone who has the insight on converting it to pure set-based.
Cheers -b
CREATE PROCEDURE sp_lock4 AS set nocount on
DECLARE @tSpids table(spid int PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED,count int) DECLARE @iSpid int,@iCount int
insert into @tSpids (spid,count) select convert (smallint, req_spid) As spid, count(*) as count
from master.dbo.syslockinfo, master.dbo.spt_values v, master.dbo.spt_values x, master.dbo.spt_values u
where master.dbo.syslockinfo.rsc_type = v.number and v.type = 'LR' and master.dbo.syslockinfo.req_status = x.number and x.type = 'LS' and master.dbo.syslockinfo.req_mode + 1 = u.number and u.type = 'L' group by converT(smallint,req_spid),'dbcc inputbuffer(' + cast(req_spid as varchar(4)) + ')' having count(*)>10 order by count(*) desc
DECLARE cLoop cursor for select spid,count from @tSpids
OPEN cLoop
FETCH NEXT FROM cLoop INTO @iSpid,@iCount WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS=0 BEGIN select 'spid ' + cast(@iSpid as varchar(4)) + ' has ' + cast(@iCount as varchar(5)) + ' locks.' exec ("dbcc inputbuffer (" + @ispid + ")") FETCH NEXT FROM cLoop INTO @iSpid,@iCount END
is there any more efficient way for example to implement the next query?
SELECT s1.article, dealer, s1.price FROM shop s1 JOIN ( SELECT article, MAX(price) AS price FROM shop GROUP BY article) AS s2 ON s1.article = s2.article AND s1.price = s2.price; WHERE dealer = 'dealer sample'
I actually work in an organisation and we have to find a solution about the data consistancy in the database. our partners use to send details to the organisation and inserted directly in the database, so we want to create a new database as a buffer database to insert informations from the partners then make an update to the main database. is there a better solution instead of that?
Hello everyone,I have a webcontrol that uses database-structures alot, it uses the system tables in SQL to read column information from tables. To ease the load of the SQL server I have a property that stores this information in a cache and everything works fine.I am doing some research to find if there are anyway to get information from the SQL server that the structure from a table has changed.I want to know if a column or table has changed any values, like datatype, name, properties, etc.Any suggestions out there ?!
Hi All,Can u please suggest me some books for relational database design ordatabase modelling(Knowledgeable yet simple) i.e. from which we couldlearn database relationships(one to many,many to oneetc.....),building ER diagrams,proper usage of ER diagrams in ourdatabase(Primary key foreign key relations),designing smallmodules,relating tables and everything that relates about databasedesign....Coz I think database design is the crucial part of databaseand we must know the design part very first before starting up withdatabases.....Thanks and very grateful to all of you....Vikas
Hi All, I am designing database where few of the master tables will reside in different database or in case different server. Scenario is Server "A" with Database "A" may host the "Accounts" table. Server "B" with Database "B" may host the "Product" table. I am designing database "Project" which will hosted in Server "A". My application requires this master tables [readonly access] as data inserted in my application refers this tables. Also there are reports to be generated which refer this tables. How do i design my database and sql queries? I am thinking of approach of having equivalent tables created in my database and writing service which keep tables in my database in sync. This will ensure good perfomance during transaction and reports as they will need to refer this table locally as opposed to different database or different server.
Any thoughts on above approach?? or any better/standard way for such scenarios ?
Thanks in Advance. Your inputs will be of great help.
Online US Searchable Map of the 50 US States. Users search criteria is the following: Query records by selecting state, county, then record. Each County table has 10-20 tables. All databases combined = 500MB and TLogs = 100MB.
How would you re-design a relational DB where users could query data by state-county-record. Currenty the DB's are created by the County of each state which creates hundreds of DB's in SQLServer with no realtionship to each US state. What would be the best design to ensure good performance, data integrity and maintenance? Would you create 1 DB with all 50 states, create 4 DB's and divide by region(N,S,E,W), 50 DB's of each state or leave it as is with each county it's on DB? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hello, I am designing my first database with 5 tables for a demo project and am not sure if it works. an example below.2 of the many things I want visitors to the site to do is find a company by the industry sector they belong to,..andwhat sort of service or products they can supply. For instance a Employment agency maybe under professional services Table 1 Customer Customer_ID = primary key,,,, Sector_ID = Foreign keyComapany Name, Address, Phone, Postcode etcTabel 2 Industry SectorsSector_ID = primary key,,,,Customer_ID= foreign key banking, Education,Prof Services, etc Table 3 Trading ActivityTrading_ID = primary key,,,,Sector_ID = Foreign key, Products_ID= FkEmployment Agent, School, Lawyer etcTable 4 ProductsProducts_ID = primary key,,,,Trading_ID = foreign keySupply frozen foods, transport services, sports goods, etc Table 5 Account Account_ID = primary key,,,,Customer_ID = foreign keyAccount Name, Credit Limit, Payment Terms, Open date, Account contact etc One big point of confusion is, can I have the Customer_ID from the principal Customers tablein every table as a foreign key or must the tables be chained together one after the other as such. Advice appreciatedThanks
Hi, I need a hand with designing a database. I am collecting results from a survey which has the following questions: Call ref? How did you place your support call? Were you satisfied with the amount of time you had to wait until getting acknowledgement of the support call placed? 1 = very satisfied and 10 = very unsatisfied. How happy were you with the customer service you received upon placing the support call? 1 = very unhappy and 10 = very happy.How satisfied were you with the amount of time you had to wait until you heard from an engineer? 1 = very satisfied and 10 = very unsatisfied. How satisfied were you with the time taken to get your problem/query resolved? 1 = very satisfied and 10 = very unsatisfied Did you feel the engineer had enough knowledge to deal with your call? 1 = very good and 10 = not very good Overall how satisfied were you with the support call placed? 1 = very satisfied and 10 = very unsatisfiedIs there anything we can do to improve the quality of the support and service you received? I want to store this in a database. Obviously I want to use best practice for design, normalisation etc. The stumbling block I am coming accross is the fact that each question has a number and each question has a score from 1 to 10 and storing this in the database. Any help appreciated! Thanks Andrew
I am creating database tables for company testimonials. Database columns: name, position, companyname, comment, service we provided. My question is that for each company - may have a multitude of different services from us, and different people with different positions in the same company may make comments. What is best practice for putting this db structure together? Thanks Andrew
Can anyone tell me how can i design database architecture for the Table Category & Product...so that i can make N-level entity relation....I have database in SQL SERVER 2000.
I guess I am confused about something and need some help. I am looking at a database schema for about 20 tables in a database. I noticed that the firstcolumn in each table Is some type of Id. For example StudentId,TestId etc.Where the Id is a unique numeric sequential value. So I have some questions?1- Do these Id's act as what are called indexes for the table?(Unique indexes)2- If the answer to 1 is correct, then how do I create these unique indexes? Is it as simple as declaring the Id column as the primary key and that this value will be generated automatically upon insert? 3- Is it necessary to have an Id column for every table, or may I only do it for a few of them?4. In relation to Question2, what do I need to do, so that the Id column will automatically be created when someone inserts a value into the database table with an ID column. For example here are two sample tables StudentsInfo StudentId<PK> Name Age 1 Mark 33 2 Jill 23 3 Mary 25 PersonalInfo Name<FK> SocialSecurity Address MajorMark 324-444-3342 15 Elm ArtJill 888-888-8998 21 North ScienceMary 876-777-2344 18 Byle Music
Hi,I am planning to create a technical forum for our college. could any one give me an idea of how to design the database for the forum. what table and columns i should have?
I have got a design issue.I have got 4 tables,having relationships.Now,user will edit records and save them,but I want to save the values which were exixsting before they were edited and saved.Implying,if a record is edited 50 times,then the values of each edit needs to be saved.How best ,can I achieve this.
