Unsure of database design

[ginge6000]

Hello all, I hope you can help me!

I'm reasonably new to Access having learnt how to use it and VB mostly
through trial and error! I'm now trying to set up a new database
which will lookup conditions in animals following a search based on
symptoms, breeds, age etc.

What I'm getting stuck on is the table design for my database. For
each of the conditions there may be 5 or 6 clinical signs, several
breeds and so on. What is the best way of structuring this? Should I
have one big table with maybe eight "Clinical Signs" fields (Clinical
Sign 1, Clinical Sign 2 etc....) for each record, or is it better to
use several tables? I'm very confused!

Cheers,

Ben

 

[Stefan Hoffmann]

hi Ben,

What is the best way of structuring this? Should I
have one big table with maybe eight "Clinical Signs" fields (Clinical
Sign 1, Clinical Sign 2 etc....) for each record, or is it better to
use several tables?

It is better to use several tables. You always need to normalize your
model.

I'm very confused!

These articles may enlighten you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization
http://www.utexas.edu/its/windows/database/datamodeling/rm/rm7.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=normalization


mfG
--> stefan <--