Field to Field data duplication

[Bryan Warren via AccessMonster.com]

I am creating a new database, that will contain 2 fields that will have the
same data. The DB is an inventory of computers. the fields I want to
duplicate are the "serial number" and the "computer name" fields. I was
wandering if there is a function that will fill in the "computer name" field
with the data that is entered into the "serial number" field. Thanks

[rquintal]

You could do it with an update query, or with visual basic code, or
with a macro in the data entry form, but in each case, it would be a
dumb thing to do.

It violates one of the basic precepts of database normalization, in
that data should be stored once and only once.

[Bryan Warren via AccessMonster.com]

yes i now it does not follow DB normalization. but that is not my goal.
however it is needed for inventory purposes. thanks for the info.

[Larry Linson]

"Bryan Warren" wrote

yes i now it does not follow DB
normalization. but that is not my
goal. however it is needed for
inventory purposes. thanks for
the info.

Normalization is not a "goal". It is just following good design practices,
and will, sooner or later, save you time, effort, and frustration.

I am intrigued by your response: If the data is there in one Field, why
would it be necessary to have duplicate data in another Field "for inventory
purposes"? Why not just use the "ID" Field wherever you'd otherwise use the
"Computer Name" Field?

Help me understand, because it does not make sense to me that there can be a
_need_ for two Fields in the same Record to contain identical information.
If there are circumstances when it is meaningful for them to contain
different information, that would be another thing altogether.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP