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  1. #1
    Dazza666 is offline Novice
    Windows 8 Access 2013
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    Question Explicit Relationships and Implicit Relationships

    Hi I'm a hobbiest and have a basic knowledge of access at best.



    I'm curious about design recommendations and when you should and shouldn't create an explicit relationship. I am creating a client support database that has a Client table a Support Package table an accommodation stay table and a Support Plan table

    a single client can have many support packages over time and in turn a support package can have many accommodation stay records, which represent a term in one of our accommodations during which may support plans can take place.

    Client o>>>>>>>>>m Support Package o >>>>>>>>>>m Accommodation stay o >>>>>>>>>>>m Support Plans

    In the support plan table I can include an accommodation stay ID linked to the accommodation stay table which in turn includes a supportPackageID linked t the support packages table which includes a clientID linked to the client table, i'd consider this an implicit relationship as the support plan does not directly reference a client but can still be traced to one because of the relationship chain.

    alternatively I can explicitly reference the client ID within the support plan then it would be both explicity linked and implicitly linked. to my knowledge this may make certain queries easier but I would prefer the database to be designed efficiently so I guess I am asking what would the best practice be for creating relationships in this respect?

    thanks

  2. #2
    June7's Avatar
    June7 is offline VIP
    Windows 7 64bit Access 2010 32bit
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    That results in a circular relationship which might cause issues. Review: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/...atabase-Design
    How to attach file: http://www.accessforums.net/showthread.php?t=70301 To provide db: copy, remove confidential data, run compact & repair, zip w/Windows Compression.

  3. #3
    Dazza666 is offline Novice
    Windows 8 Access 2013
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    Quote Originally Posted by June7 View Post
    That results in a circular relationship which might cause issues. Review: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/...atabase-Design
    Hey that article was really useful I appreciate the help

    thanks very much

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