Are Primary keys needed in child tables?

[Nevie and Phil]

Are Primary keys needed in child tables?

How important is having a defined primary key in child tables?

Here is my dilemma; I have 35 groups running around come desert country. I
having them send updates to a central database with something like XML files
(I haven’t exactly figured out how yet).

The primary table won’t have any conflicts, but I am contimpated the need to
have primary keys in the child tables.

Could you guys let me know what you think and if it’s worth combining a
group ID with an Auto number in the forms (or if there is some way to have
the Jet do it maybe by default?)

 

[John Vinson]

Are Primary keys needed in child tables?

Primary keys are needed in ALL tables.

How important is having a defined primary key in child tables?

Essential, if you want to update the table, delete records, sort, ....

Here is my dilemma; I have 35 groups running around come desert country. I
having them send updates to a central database with something like XML files
(I haven’t exactly figured out how yet).

The primary table won’t have any conflicts, but I am contimpated the need to
have primary keys in the child tables.

Could you guys let me know what you think and if it’s worth combining a
group ID with an Auto number in the forms (or if there is some way to have
the Jet do it maybe by default?)

Two suggestions: use a two-field primary key consisting of the groupID
and a Long Integer sequential number, probably manually assigned
(though an autonumber should work); or use Access Replication, if you
are bold, undaunted by code, and willing to read up on this complex
subject <g>.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Nevie and Phil]

John,

Thanks for the Advice, on both topics, sorry it took me so long to reply. I
ended up combining the group id and the auto number. I was just relunctent
to do that because i am curious, can i import data without making code to
import it. or pretty much to i need to make some code or query instead up
derectly importing data?

Once again, Thanks!