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Database Design for Category / Product / Options

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    Database Design for Category / Product / Options

    Hello,

    I am trying to create a database that when finished will allow us to create an invoice that will allow the user to first choose a category such as Flooring, or Appliances, or Kitchen and then once a category is chosen - then products such as Carpet, or Vinyl for the Flooring category for example would become available for choices by the user.

    Once the product then for the appropriate category is chosen then options such as "color" for that product would become available as a choice.

    Can this be accomplished? What sort of database tables would I need to create to accomplish this? Does anyone know of a better design solution that they can suggest to me that would accomplish what we are going after?

    I just can't seem to figure this out and would appreciate any help anyone could offer.

    Thank you!

    #2
    Re: Database Design for Category / Product / Options

    As I think others have mentioned, you should look at AlphaSports and/or AlphaSportsWeb apps that ship with Alpha. Both of those apps have pretty much what you need to 'start' your app. Both of those apps have rather simple Invoice Items tables and Invoice Items entry forms. But once you understand what those apps do, you can then enhance the Invoice Items areas as necessary.

    Start with Alphasports/SportsWeb... figure out what they do... then post specific questions on the forum :)
    "all things should be as simple as possible... but no simpler"

    Mike

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      #3
      Re: Database Design for Category / Product / Options

      Didn't you post a similar question in the WAS 8 forum? So is this a desktop app or for a web app?
      Peter
      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

      [email protected]
      https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


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        #4
        Re: Database Design for Category / Product / Options

        Yes, I did and was told that this would or might be a better question for the database design forum. Also, other responses were given from other users of this board that are trying to do the same thing and are still searching for an answer also.

        I have tried to look at the Alphasports example and the version that I have only comes from what I understand is the desktop version (you have to spend extra to get the web version? - Alpha 5 version 8 / build 1839).

        The Alphasports example does not do what I am looking for as far the category / product / option - all it has is "Product" - and what I am trying to find out how to create is a category / product / option.

        One response that I did receive said that they were able to accomplish this through a "lookup" in an earlier "DOS" version of Alpha but with the new version are unable to duplicate it - and they are also looking for an answer to this.

        So with that said, if anyone has an example of a how on an invoice created with A5V8 one could choose a category, then product, and then options - there would be more than me that could benefit from this example.

        Thank you!

        BTW - yes, this would be for the web.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Database Design for Category / Product / Options

          Hi Don,
          You might try creating separate tables for the fields you want to lookup for your Items.

          The Category table only needs a Category description field if the descriptions are short, otherwise you might want to add a cryptic ID field.

          Appliance
          Flooring
          Lighting

          In the Product table add a Product Description field and a Category (or Cat ID) field. You could also use a unique Prod_ID field (auto increment) if you anticipate lots of products.

          Appliance|Refrigerator
          Appliance|Stove
          Flooring|Carpet
          Flooring|Ceramic

          In the Colors table add a Color field and a Product Description field. Then populate those tables.
          Carpet|Green
          Carpet|Beige
          Ceramic|Marble
          Refrigerator|Stainless

          In your Items table also add fields for Item Desc (Item ID would be good here too), Category, Product and Color; then in field rules, define table lookups for the respective tables. In the Product lookup add a filter where Category = Items->Category, and you will only see the Products that have the same Category you selected for the Item. Do the same with the Color field only add a filter where Product = Items->Product and only the colors you created for the product you selected will display.

          10004|Flooring|Carpet|Green

          Once you have your Inventory Items then you can select them in a lookup to use for your Invoice Items.

          Hope this makes sense!
          Last edited by MoGrace; 12-27-2007, 10:47 PM.
          Robin

          Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

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