Create a New Table or Use Comma Separate Fields

[padlocked17]

All,

I have a quick question that could lead into a longer one.

First off, I am trying to associate tests with a course a student is enrolled in. Would it be better to add a column in the courses table and have a comma separated list of all tests associated with each course or would it be better to create a separate table that has a column for the course and another column for the associated test with that course?

If comma separated fields would be better, how would I handle that in forms? How does one parse that field?

Thanks!

 

[pbaldy]

I say option "B", a separate table. The comma delimited list would be normalization issue.

 

[padlocked17]

That was my gut feeling as well.

If I go that route, I have both a set of evaluations and a set of tests that correspond to each course.

Could I combine them into a single table that would encapsulate taking care of both or should I just stop being ridiculous and make two tables? I'm just looking for normalization, ease of maintenance and scalability.

Thanks!

 

[pbaldy]

My gut reaction is two tables, but how do the 3 relate to each other?

 

[padlocked17]

The tblCourses table is the parent and for each entry in that table, a test and an evaluation will be associated with that course. The tblEvals and tblTests are simply a list with a Primary Autonumber Key Field, a Name and an Abbreviation.

 

[pbaldy]

I still lean towards a table for each. I suppose you could do one with an additional field to signify which it was.

 

[padlocked17]

Multiple tables it is. Thanks.