Database Design Issue

[t_f_massey]

Here is the situation

I have to design a database to store computer product information. Everything from keyboards, digital cameras, switches etc.

Fields like product_code, price, title, image etc are fine, but when you get into technical specifications there is a large variety between the product categories.

For example: a digital camera has megapixels, memory card type, battery... Whereas a switch has data transfer rate, interfaces, status indicators etc...

As you can see there is a large variety.

The question is would it be better to make a large table with all the technical fields, only entering information in the appropriate place, OR have a single field to store the technical information as a single XML or WDDX chunk?

Are there performance issues to consider when searching through XML and WDDX?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

🙂

[snoopy13]

hy
why don't u make the table with technical specifications like
spec1, spec2 ....spec20?

[t_f_massey]

Do you mean set up a tech_spec table with fields like

tech_spec_id
prod_id
tech_spec_title
tech_spec_value

and link this to the product through the prod_id field ?

I like it !

😃

[snoopy13]

which would be an other possibility. I like it as well
I was just not sure if you needet the title at all.