Updating/Deleting/Inserting multiple tables - 1 form

[ndorfnz]

Here's the deal...

I have one form that brings together data from 4 different tables.

When editing an existing record...

The main table (called users) I plan to just "update"...this table contains a unique user and 2 specific preferences for each unique user. When the user submits the form.

The other 3 tables contain "other data" for the users. (call these table 1, table 2 and table 3) considering putting these all into 1 table and identifying the data uniquely...different subject.

For example:
User A exists in users.

User A also has say:
4 entries in table 1
3 entries in table 2
5 entries in table 3

The user may or may not have made changes to these values, which by the way are textareas.

When the user submits the form, I plan to "update the user table" as mentioned previously.

Here's my dilema...then should I simply delete all the existing data in these "other tables" for the user. Then insert whatever is in the form for these "other tables"? Doesn't seem like I can do a clean update...

Seems to be the right direction...but would like some confirmation or direction.

Much appreciated!

[Roger_Ramjet]

Well, regardless of how you handle the queries, you first need to verify and cleanse the user input data. That is the only way to get a clean update. Having verified that the user input is complete as required you then can just run an update query, does not really matter if nothing has changed.

Ah, sorry, should have read your post more carefully. Yes, the simple solution for the other tables is to delete all then insert new - if that is how the application functions. Difficult to be more specific without more details and examples of the data. You should really do this with Transactions to ensure that if the insert fails the delete is rolled back.