4

I have a basic understanding of relational databases and would like to assign a number of attributes to an assortment of products. Products examined consistently have four components: model, fabric, color and size; each of which has a corresponding vendor-supplied identifier (ie. 'SSSS.MMMM.CCCC.ZZZZ' = a single product at the size level).

The most streamlined solution would seem to be having a product table that is at the size level, then a table for model, fabric, color and size to assign relevant attributes under each. The problem I am facing is that I would like to assign certain attributes to, say, a given fabric/color combination. Should I then also have tables of each fabric/color combination in this case?

I have laid out roughly what I am referring to above with the below table diagram:

Database Diagram

1
  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – Paul White
    Apr 26, 2017 at 16:19

1 Answer 1

0

My personal recommendation would be to have a separate table four each of the for attributes listing the different options. This is purely to make it easy to validate data entry.

Then a product for each combination that is required - store transactions against this.

Then a product line table that has several products of different sizes/colors whatever.

Reason for this approach is that a colour/size combination represents a product that should be tracked distinctly from any other size/color of the same thing. A product line might be 'army cargo trousers', and could come in lots of sizes and colours.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.