Chris wrote:
>
> Hello, everyone. Well, this is my first post, so I hope my question is
> relevant to the list. My main question is on the practicality of a database
> structure that I plan to implement. I am totally new to SQL and databases
> in general, so forgive any glaring ignorance that I might display.
>
> First, a little background. I am planning on implementing a site for a
> small college radio station that is centered around a database of our CD
> (and other media) library. I plan to implement an endless array of
> search, poll, request, comment, and other such features (one I learn how to
> code them, of course), but before I do any of that, I want to establish a
> format for my databse.
>
> I am using php3+MySQL+Apache+Linux for my development platform, BTW.
> Anyway, here's a rough idea of what I plan to do with the database. In one
> table, I'll have entries that consist of a given piece of media's artist,
> album name, record label, genre, type of media and an ID number of some
> sort. In another table, I'd like to have the ID number of the media along
> with a short description, track listing, and possibly rating and comment
> fields. I might also add ID numbers to the track listings. Would this
> format
> be easily searchable for any/all of the fields? Does anyone have any
> optimization hints for such a database? What would be the easiest way to
> create the ID/track listing table(s)? Since there would be a varying number
> of tracks, it would be nice to have a dynamically sized space for those...
>
> I'm sure I sound like a total newbie (mainly because I am ;-)), but I've got
> to learn some time, right? Thanks in advance!
>
> -Chris
>
Chris:
A few suggestions:
1. For a few days forget this project
2. Write some simple application with MySQL-Apache-PHP
like a phone book
3. Make it a little more complex
4. Return to the original problem. You will not be a
complete newbie anymore, and you will probably find a
reasonably easy solution to the problem.
--
Sasha Pachev
http://www.sashanet.com/ (home)
http://www.direct1.com/ (work)
