how to normalize

[dabears]

I am new to database creation. I have a question on MSSQL database. I am setting up a db and was wondering how the columns should be set up? My primary key is userid column. I was wondering if I should have differnet columns named round1a, round1b, round1c, round1d, round2a, round3b, etc. in one table or have just one column for round 1 and then another column for round 2 in one table or break up into round1 table and round2 table. The data values in each column eventually need to be compared to a value to be checked.

[iburyak]

What do you think of this layout?
Naming columns with different rounds will not be flexible and will need more columns for more rounds. You can have primary key over (user_id, round) to make it unique.

[PHP]
user_id round value
1 1a
1 1b
1 1c
1 1d
1 2a
1 3b[/PHP]

[MMcCarthy]

Have a look at this tutorial.

Normalisation and Table structures

Mary