Tables with blank fields

[Mikeyfyr]

I am a firefighter who has been tasked with creating a database to track repairs and inventory on breathing apparatus(SCBA). There are several(5) related pieces of equipment that I think should go on the same table. Three of these will have nearly identical fields. The other two will have additional field specific to them. Should I create one table including all five pieces and just leave the extras fields blank or is there a better way.
Thanks.

Mike

 

[The_Doc_Man]

If the fields can be more than eight characters worth of text when they are occupied, it is cheaper to allow them to be blank. If they are memo fields, it is CERTAINLY cheaper to allow them to be blank.

Usually, tricks to eliminate blank fields don't pay off unless you have so many that your table is blank a lot! Like, out of 200 fields, 150 can be blank most of the time. THEN you are talking about a case where space savings can be multiplied by splitting tables in some constructive way.

Three blank fields? Chump change!

 

[Mikeyfyr]

Thanks thats what a thought.