Am I on the right track?

[Doc]

I have a price list of codes from A to Z each letter has 5 different prices
depending on the finish of the product. We have over 1000 products that are
set up with the letter code in our catalog that the customer can reference
to find his cost. We would like to build a database so when the product and
finish is chosen the price would be shown. I am not familiar with databases
but I imagine that I would set up a database with the first field being the
letter code (C for example) then the next a data column for the silver price
then a data column for the gold and then a data column for two tone with the
prices shown that would correspond to the letter code. Then I would set up
another database with the product Number and its' corresponding letter code
for pricing and a data for the finish that would find the corresponding
amount from the original table.
My question is am I on the right track and if not can someone point me in
the right direction.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Greg

 

[tina]

first of all, where you're using the word "database", i believe that what
you really mean is "table". an Access database file *contains* table
objects, but it isn't a table object in itself.
next, the table design you describe is essentially saving data in field
names (silver, gold, two-tone, etc) - a big mistake in table design. what
you're describing is a "flat file" design, such as you might create in
Excel. you're building a relational database, so build it relationally.
since you're not familiar with databases, the very best thing you can do at
this point is to invest some time in learning the basics of relational data
modeling (also referred to as normalization). incorrectly structured
tables/relationships will make your life miserable as you struggle to build,
maintain, and eventually expand your database. a properly designed
foundation, on the other hand, will make it a thousand times easier to do
all of those things.
one good text on relational data modeling is Database Design for Mere
Mortals by Michael Hernandez. you can also find numerous links to
information at
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conradsystems/accessjunkie/resources.html
beginning with the Database Design 101 and Starting Out links.

hth

 

[Doc]

Thanks for the advice
Greg