familiar with filemaker. learning php+sql

[lanceomni]

I have been using filemaker for a few years now keeping records for my business. Id like to know the similarities between filemaker and sql databases (not trying to convert a filemaker db to sql but instead learn the similarities between the two)

i am trying to grasp the concept of relationships. In filemaker I would have a "business" table and a "contacts" table and would create a relationship between the two. On the graphic side I would then create a portal to view/add contacts related to the business.

In sql I have the same two tables. Is the relationship merely a result of a query? Or is there more to setting the database up for relationships.
I mean as it is I can query the results I want and assume that after learning more about php I could get the results I wanted. It just seems like i am missing some steps here.

I want the ability to sort through these business records and see a list of related contacts. Be able to view that contacts table or add new contacts associated with the business.

-Justin

[rulian]

There are foreign key options in sql dbms like mysql, however I'd safely assume that is for the more advanced users rather then your basic constructs.
The relationship in the databases are not hard linked in any way they are much more imaginary lines that connect the tables. Relationships are built on a planning phase rather then inside the database.

For example lets say I have 2 tables, 1 with peoples name, the other with their pets name . In order for table 2 to konw which pets go with which people it needs to be able to reference table 1. Such tables could look like so:

Table 1 - People
[ ID ]  | [ Names ]

  1     |  George
  2     |  Sally 
  3     |  Charlie


Table 2 - PETS
[PET ID] | [Pet Name] | [Owner's ID]

1      | Bingo    |  2   
2      | Fido      |  3
3      | Lucy      |  1

So even though these tables have no actual physical link between them, by having a reference key I know that pet 2 belongs to person 3
or Fido belongs to Charlie

[lanceomni]

So basically it is all in the way you design the database and the way you write the php.

When I would create my filemaker db I would usually provide fields for multiple phone and addresses but I would usually run into a few contacts which exceeded these fields. Would I be right to create a separate table to store phone numbers and another one to store addresses?

Table 1 - Contacts
[ ID ] | [ Names ]

1 | George
2 | Sally
3 | Charlie

Table 1 - Phone
[Phone ID ] | [ Number] | [Type]

1 | 234-567-5677 | cell
2 | 234-567-5645 | office
3 | 674-467-5677 | cell

What would I do If I wanted to store phone numbers from several different tables in the "phone" table? say "Table 3- Businesses" and maybe others.

Thank You,
Justin