J
Janna
I’m struggling with what would be the best method to accomplish the following:
I have an application that can have up to 8 different types of land classes
for each record (types 1-8). If a record has a specific class, it will also
have a field for the size of that particular class in square feet
For example:
Record 1 Class 1 100ft Class 2 250ft
Record 2 Class 3 500ft Class 8 800ft
Record 4 Class 1 655ft Class 4 1000ft Class 8 700ft
Initially, I thought I would simply list all the 8 possible land classes on
the data entry form with check boxes so the user could check all that apply
and then have an associated size field for each class.
The problem is, this application will be for reporting, per state
guidelines, the total number of footage for each type of class over all the
records and unfortunately, the state has had a history of changing their
class identification each year or every other year. If I do the above, I’m
probably going to end up, over 5 years, with a number of class types that no
longer apply and new ones that will apply. A jumbled mess.
From a design standpoint, would it be better to create a separate table with
the class types. In my primary table, I would have 8 number fields for the
class types and 8 additional fields for the associated size. On my data
entry form, I thought I could initially have just one combo box visible and
one size box visible. If the first combo box and size box are populated, a
second combo box and size box would become visible and available for data
entry. If the second combo box and size box are populated, a third combo box
and size box would become available, and so forth.
I guess I need some advice, based on the fact that the classes will probably
change from year to year, on how best to design my application and form.
If I use the second option, will it be a real headache to total the separate
class sizes at year end? Can anyone offer a more sound approach? Appreciate
any input.
I have an application that can have up to 8 different types of land classes
for each record (types 1-8). If a record has a specific class, it will also
have a field for the size of that particular class in square feet
For example:
Record 1 Class 1 100ft Class 2 250ft
Record 2 Class 3 500ft Class 8 800ft
Record 4 Class 1 655ft Class 4 1000ft Class 8 700ft
Initially, I thought I would simply list all the 8 possible land classes on
the data entry form with check boxes so the user could check all that apply
and then have an associated size field for each class.
The problem is, this application will be for reporting, per state
guidelines, the total number of footage for each type of class over all the
records and unfortunately, the state has had a history of changing their
class identification each year or every other year. If I do the above, I’m
probably going to end up, over 5 years, with a number of class types that no
longer apply and new ones that will apply. A jumbled mess.
From a design standpoint, would it be better to create a separate table with
the class types. In my primary table, I would have 8 number fields for the
class types and 8 additional fields for the associated size. On my data
entry form, I thought I could initially have just one combo box visible and
one size box visible. If the first combo box and size box are populated, a
second combo box and size box would become visible and available for data
entry. If the second combo box and size box are populated, a third combo box
and size box would become available, and so forth.
I guess I need some advice, based on the fact that the classes will probably
change from year to year, on how best to design my application and form.
If I use the second option, will it be a real headache to total the separate
class sizes at year end? Can anyone offer a more sound approach? Appreciate
any input.