Table design where a field isn't always completed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Will
  • Start date Start date
W

Will

Hi
I have a table which stores product information called tblProducts. I need
to add a field ProductWeight to this table but not all products have
weights. My question is should I add this field to tblProducts and have
records which have blank fields for weight or should I create a new table
e.g. tblProductWeight with the fields ProductID and ProductWeight containing
only products where weight is recorded? What are the
advantages/disadvantages of each method?

Thanks

Will
 
Most tables will have some fields that are blank. For example, "spouse
name" would be blank for single folks. "termination date" would be blank
for employees who are still working.

I would think that if most of your records will have a value, you would want
to keep the field part of your table.

Rick B
 
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