Re: [OT] "advanced" database design (long)

Lewis Cunningham wrote:
> --- vladimir konrad <vk(at)dsl(dot)pipex(dot)com> wrote:
>
>> I think that I understand basic relational theory but then I had an
>> idea.
>> Basically, instead of adding field to a table every time there is a
>> need for it, have a table split in two: one holds identity (id) and
>> one holds the attributes (linked to this id).
>> Basically, if in the future user decides that the subject should
>> have a new attribute, he can simply add "attribute definition" and
>> attribute_definition_set (if any) and the application would handle
>
> Basically, you would be creating your own data dictionary (i.e.
> system catalog) on top of the db data dictionary. The database
> already comes with a way to easily add columns: ddl.

If you have some part of your app that needs to "select" the list of
columns in a table you should look at
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.2/interactive/catalogs.html
particularly pg_class and pg_attribute

--

Shane Ambler
pgSQL (at) Sheeky (dot) Biz

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