Learning Claris FileMaker

Learn more about the different types of database relationships and when to use specific types based on the business operations and goals of the table.

COMMON TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS 

Previously, we discussed one-to-many relational databases. By far, this is the most common type of data relationship that we encounter. We discussed parents and children. A parent record can have many child records, but a child record belongs to one and only one parent record. Those relationships are defined through data. A parent record has a primary key that is assigned when a record is created. A child record displays part of the DNA of its parent by carrying the unique parent ID in a foreign key field. When the child’s foreign key value matches the parent’s primary key value we have a link between those records.

Other types of relationships occur as well. In this article, we’ll cover one-to-one and many-to-many database relationships.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TYPE

Those new to database design often have a preconceived notion of what type ...

WHAT IS A DATABASE?

A database is an organized method of storing information in a computer system.

There are many different database products on the market, but they all boil down to keeping track of your important personal or organizational information.

Before databases, every library had a card catalog cabinet that described, in alphabetical order, what books were on the shelves and where they could be found.

Our librarians spent immense amounts of time keeping the cards in the proper order and helping hapless users try to find the reference they need.

They were also responsible for discovering and replacing missing cards.

The drawers were designed to be removable, so if another user happened to take off with the drawer one needed, it was tough luck.

With the dawn of ubiquitous computing power, these card catalog stores of data are now maintained in computer-based database systems.

It’s faster, allows access from almost anywhere, and provides various controls over the underlying data.

In a word, this solution is just better.