Tables & Relationships

[cricket7]

I think I figured out my tables and relationships.

Tables:

Table 1
tblTowedVehicles
fldTowID
fldReportDate
fldReportTime
fldlReportNumber
fldTowRequestDate
fldTowRequestTime
fldTowLocation
fldTowCompanyID(1)
fldTowArrivalDate
fldTowArrivalTime
fldTowTypeID (8)
fldTowReasonID (8)
fldNotes

Table 2
tblTowCompanies
fldTowCompanyID(8)
fldCompanyName
fldAddress
fldCity
fldZipCode
fldBusPhone
fldFaxNumber
fldContactID(8)
fldBoundaries
fldNotes

Table 3
tblTowCompanyContacts
fldContactID(1)
fldTowCompanyID
fldLastName
fldFirstName
fldNickname
fldBusPhone
fldCellPhone
fldFaxNumber
fldOtherPhone
fldNotes

Table 4
tblTowTypes
fldTowTypeID (1)
fldTowType

Table 5
tblTowReasons
fldTowReasonID (1)
fldTowReason
My relationships are in (1), (8) being many.

Could someone check these out to make sure they are ok. Now I am
stuck on how to make the entry form for the user. Do I use the fields
from the Table 1 (tblTowedVehicles). Or do I make a query with all
tables and take only the main fields from the tblTowedVehicles table
but where the field is called "tblTowTypeID", "tblTowReasonID",
"tblTowCompanyID", I bring down from those other tables the
tblTowType, tblTowReason, and tblCompanyName. Then run the query and
make a form based on that? I guess I am confused as to where to go
from here.

The more I look at my tables and relationships I am not sure those are
correct.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Larry Linson]

It is difficult to determine whether your data storage is "right" or not
without knowing what you intend to accomplish with your database
application. The data needs to "model" the situation you are trying to
represent, and the needs you are addressing.

I immediately note that you do not have a table for the vehicle itself --
but that may not be a problem, depending on what use you want to make of the
data. However, to me, naming the table "tblTowedVehicles" without _any_
apparent information on the vehicle seems "unusual", at best. Perhaps it's
even misleading -- just "tblTows" or "tblTowIncidents" might seem a more
accurate name for the information you are keeping.

And, although it might be adequately covered by the (written?) report, it
would seem useful to maintain some physical identification of the towed
vehicle (VIN or license or ???) in the database.

If you are using the (1) and (8) symbols, for 1-to-many, then there is
inconsistency in your representation... each tow is linked to only one Tow
Company, Tow Type, and Tow Reason; each Tow Compay, Tow Type, and Tow Reason
may apply to many Tows... yet you have represented them differently.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

"cricket7" <cr******@waukeganpd.netwrote in message
news:11**********************@c77g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...

>I think I figured out my tables and relationships.

Tables:

Table 1
tblTowedVehicles
fldTowID
fldReportDate
fldReportTime
fldlReportNumber
fldTowRequestDate
fldTowRequestTime
fldTowLocation
fldTowCompanyID(1)
fldTowArrivalDate
fldTowArrivalTime
fldTowTypeID (8)
fldTowReasonID (8)
fldNotes

Table 2
tblTowCompanies
fldTowCompanyID(8)
fldCompanyName
fldAddress
fldCity
fldZipCode
fldBusPhone
fldFaxNumber
fldContactID(8)
fldBoundaries
fldNotes

Table 3
tblTowCompanyContacts
fldContactID(1)
fldTowCompanyID
fldLastName
fldFirstName
fldNickname
fldBusPhone
fldCellPhone
fldFaxNumber
fldOtherPhone
fldNotes

Table 4
tblTowTypes
fldTowTypeID (1)
fldTowType

Table 5
tblTowReasons
fldTowReasonID (1)
fldTowReason
My relationships are in (1), (8) being many.

Could someone check these out to make sure they are ok. Now I am
stuck on how to make the entry form for the user. Do I use the fields
from the Table 1 (tblTowedVehicles). Or do I make a query with all
tables and take only the main fields from the tblTowedVehicles table
but where the field is called "tblTowTypeID", "tblTowReasonID",
"tblTowCompanyID", I bring down from those other tables the
tblTowType, tblTowReason, and tblCompanyName. Then run the query and
make a form based on that? I guess I am confused as to where to go
from here.

The more I look at my tables and relationships I am not sure those are
correct.

Thanks for any help you can give me.