how do I link tables in mySQL

Anon

I working on an intranet project and I want to create my database using mySQL so I am having problems in creating table links.

mligor

Hi,

I don't understand your problem, bur mySQL is NOT relation database, and you can't create links like in Access or Oracle...

but you can use SQL like this:

SELECT * FROM table1, table2 WHERE table1.UserID=table2.ID

or to use standard LEFT JOIN....

Igor

greg252

From the mySQL site:

MySQL is a relational database management system.
A relational database stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big storeroom. This adds speed and flexibility. The tables are linked by defined relations making it possible to combine data from several tables on request. The SQL part of MySQL'' stands forStructured Query Language''@-the most common standardised language used to access databases.

Anon

cough Well they're lying.

A "relational" database system that doesn't support database relations??? What's with that?

Even if you use the non-standard InnoDB tables you get restrict only foreign keys - they don't cascade in any way - so what on earth is the use of them?

"The tables are linked by defined relations making it possible to combine data from several tables on request." Exactly. ON REQUEST. ie. you 'link' them when you do a join, but not with foreign keys - sorry!

"common standardised language"??? Yes, SQL is standard, by MySQL is not. MySQL implements the bare_minuimum of the SQL standard, and has made many of it's own, quite arbitrary, changes to the standard. Have you ever seen its date/time manipulation - totally non standard. And what about working with NULLs - they just made up their own syntax.

MySQL is the least relational, most non-standard database I have ever had the misfortune of having to use. Do yourself a favour and switch to Postgres or Firebird or something.

Chris