LINK OR IMPORT

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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Guest

i want to have a master table that links to several other tables in my
database. i can have this table from another database (link tables), or
directly from the txt file (since the table is updated regularly by importing
the data in the other database) by the link tables option again, or simply
recreating the table and regularly update it by importing the data.

my problem is if i will have problems with the data if they are sorted,
filtered, etc. since the data from this table are cruscial for other tables.
i think that there are peculiarities. pls help me in order to create my
database on the correct basis to avoid data loss!!!
 
Great question. I was once confronted with a similar question.

If someone messes with the data in the other table, how will it effect your
database? If your users delete a few records, will that bother someone elses?
In that case I'd keep the data inside my own database.

The flip side is if you need the changes made by others. The classic example
is Sales, Accounting, and Shipping all having their own databases and data.
Sales finds out that a customer has moved but doesn't remember to tell anyone
else. Now Accounting sends the bill to the wrong place and, worse, Shipping
delivers and order to the wrong building. In that case, I'd link to a master
database where everyone is on the same sheet of music.

Then there is the duplication of effort issue. The master database is
updated frequently from a text file. If you want your own table, you'll also
be importing the same text file.

If, big IF, there will not be any data quality or performance issues, I'd
link instead of importing.
 
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