The best way top design a database

Hi,

I must design a database with 2 tables. One is a Company table where I have cie name, address and so on. The second one is a Category table. Each company must be classified in at least one category.

What's the best way to do this? Is it better to have a field in my Company table where I will store Category ID (remember I can have more than one category) or is it better to create an intermediate table where I will have a record for each couple Company-Category ?

Thanks for your help.

Hello lg,

I agree with the option of having another table with companies and catagories.

There may be a time in the future that a company can have many categories so if you limit this in your company table you will have to do a re-write if you dont have enough space on the company table.

Company table: companyID, name, other details, etc

Categories table: catID, name, other details, etc

CompCat table: companyID, catID

Use the categories table to validate any new company records and then simpy add any new CompCat records when you like.

HIH

Good Luck