sql - Better database structure -
i'm developing app wp8 can store documents of dozen predefined types (e.g. passport, insurance...). so, have table columns this: int id, string name, int order
the problem other fields not same different document types.
for passport be: number int, photo bitmap
for insurance: number int, holder string
first way resolve problem: store data in xml column. second: store each type in dedicated table (i'm afraid linq query huge , slow data 10 different tables). third: store meta in tables (e.g. table field_types
, field_to_docs
, field_values
).
i think fastest way be, of course, xml. think it? how storing bitmaps in xml, or i'll need create table specially storing bitmaps , sync them references xml?
i'd model main table document, , small table each document type peculiarities.
in document you'd have common fields plus type of document in small tables id main table , fields unique type of document.
when retrieving documents, you'd have join on foreign key should fast , simple.
other option i'd consider 1 table plenty of null-able fields , depending on document type reconstructing 1 or other , leaving other document-specific fields @ null. if using object-oriented language go first one. it's easier.
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