Database Design. Need Advice. Thank You.

Hello,
I am creating a database where:
- I have a Blogs and Folders system.
- Use a common design so I can implement new systems in the future.
Users, Comments, Ratings, View, Tags and Categories are tables common
to all systems, i.e., used by Posts and Files in Blogs and Folders.
- One Tag or Category can be associated to many Posts or Files.
- One Comment, View or Rating should be only associated to one Post or
one File. I am missing this ... (1)
Relations between a File / Folder and Comments / Ratings / View /
Tags / Categories are done using FilesRatings, FoldersViews, etc.
I am using UniqueIdentifier as Primary Keys.
I checked ASP.NET Membership tables, a few articles and few features
in my project, such as renaming files with the GUID of their records.
I didn't decided yet for INT or UNIQUEIDENTIFIER.
I am looking for some feedback on the design of my database.
One thing I think need to improve is mentioned in (1)
But any advices to improve it would be great.
Thank You,
Miguel
My Database Script:
-- Users ...
create table dbo.Users
(
UserID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_User primary key clustered,
[Name] nvarchar(200) not null,
Email nvarchar(200) null,
UpdatedDate datetime not null
)
-- Categories ...
create table dbo.Categories
(
CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Category primary key clustered,
[Name] nvarchar(100) not null
)
-- Comments ...
create table dbo.Comments
(
CommentID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Comment primary key clustered,
AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
Title nvarchar(400) null,
Body nvarchar(max) null,
UpdatedDate datetime not null,
constraint FK_Comments_Users
foreign key(AuthorID)
references dbo.Users(UserID)
)
-- Ratings ...
create table dbo.Ratings
(
RatingID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Rating primary key clustered,
AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
Value float not null,
constraint FK_Ratings_Users
foreign key(AuthorID)
references dbo.Users(UserID)
)
-- Tags ...
create table dbo.Tags
(
TagID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Tag primary key clustered,
[Name] nvarchar(100) not null
)
-- Views ...
create table dbo.Views
(
ViewID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_View primary key clustered,
Ticket [datetime] not null
)
-- Blogs ...
create table dbo.Blogs
(
BlogID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Blog primary key clustered,
Title nvarchar(400) null,
Description nvarchar(2000) null,
CreatedDate datetime null
)
-- Posts ...
create table dbo.Posts
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Post primary key clustered,
BlogID uniqueidentifier not null,
AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
Title nchar(1000) null,
Body nvarchar(max) null,
UpdatedDate datetime not null,
IsPublished bit not null,
constraint FK_Posts_Blogs
foreign key(BlogID)
references dbo.Blogs(BlogID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_Posts_Users
foreign key(AuthorID)
references dbo.Users(UserID)
on delete cascade
)
-- PostsCategories ...
create table dbo.PostsCategories
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_PostsCategories
primary key clustered (PostID, CategoryID),
constraint FK_PostsCategories_Posts
foreign key(PostID)
references dbo.Posts(PostID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_PostsCategories_Categories
foreign key(CategoryID)
references dbo.Categories(CategoryID)
)
-- PostsComments ...
create table dbo.PostsComments
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
CommentID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_PostsComments
primary key clustered (PostID, CommentID),
constraint FK_PostsComments_Posts
foreign key(PostID)
references dbo.Posts(PostID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_PostsComments_Comments
foreign key(CommentID)
references dbo.Comments(CommentID)
on delete cascade
)
-- PostsRatings ...
create table dbo.PostsRatings
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
RatingID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_PostsRatings
primary key clustered (PostID, RatingID),
constraint FK_PostsRatings_Posts
foreign key(PostID)
references dbo.Posts(PostID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_PostsRatings_Ratings
foreign key(RatingID)
references dbo.Ratings(RatingID)
on delete cascade
)
-- PostsTags ...
create table dbo.PostsTags
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
TagID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_PostsTags
primary key clustered (PostID, TagID),
constraint FK_PostsTags_Posts
foreign key(PostID)
references dbo.Posts(PostID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_PostsTags_Tags
foreign key(TagID)
references dbo.Tags(TagID)
)
-- PostsViews ...
create table dbo.PostsViews
(
PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
ViewID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_PostsViews
primary key clustered (PostID, ViewID),
constraint FK_PostsViews_Posts
foreign key(PostID)
references dbo.Posts(PostID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_PostsViews_Views
foreign key(ViewID)
references dbo.Views(ViewID)
on delete cascade
)
-- Folders ...
create table dbo.Folders
(
FolderID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_Folder primary key clustered,
[Name] nvarchar(100) null,
Description nvarchar(2000) null,
CreatedDate datetime not null,
URL nvarchar(400) not null
)
-- Files ...
create table dbo.Files
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null
constraint PK_File primary key clustered,
FolderID uniqueidentifier not null,
AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
Title nvarchar(400) null,
Description nvarchar(2000) null,
[Name] nvarchar(100) not null,
URL nvarchar(400) not null,
UpdatedDate datetime not null,
IsPublished bit not null,
Type nvarchar(50) null,
constraint FK_Files_Folders
foreign key(FolderID)
references dbo.Folders(FolderID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_Files_Users
foreign key(AuthorID)
references dbo.Users(UserID)
on delete cascade
)
-- FilesCategories ...
create table dbo.FilesCategories
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_FilesCategories
primary key clustered (FileID, CategoryID),
constraint FK_FilesCategories_Files
foreign key(FileID)
references dbo.Files(FileID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_FilesCategories_Categories
foreign key(CategoryID)
references dbo.Categories(CategoryID)
)
-- FilesComments ...
create table dbo.FilesComments
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
CommentID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_FilesComments
primary key clustered (FileID, CommentID),
constraint FK_FilesComments_Files
foreign key(FileID)
references dbo.Files(FileID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_FilesComments_Comments
foreign key(CommentID)
references dbo.Comments(CommentID)
on delete cascade
)
-- FilesRatings ...
create table dbo.FilesRatings
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
RatingID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_FilesRatings
primary key clustered (FileID, RatingID),
constraint FK_FilesRatings_Files
foreign key(FileID)
references dbo.Files(FileID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_FilesRatings_Ratings
foreign key(RatingID)
references dbo.Ratings(RatingID)
on delete cascade
)
-- FilesTags ...
create table dbo.FilesTags
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
TagID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_FilesTags
primary key clustered (FileID, TagID),
constraint FK_FilesTags_Files
foreign key(FileID)
references dbo.Files(FileID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_FilesTags_Tags
foreign key(TagID)
references dbo.Tags(TagID)
)
-- FilesViews ...
create table dbo.FilesViews
(
FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
ViewID uniqueidentifier not null,
constraint PK_FilesViews
primary key clustered (FileID, ViewID),
constraint FK_FilesViews_Files
foreign key(FileID)
references dbo.Files(FileID)
on delete cascade,
constraint FK_FilesViews_Views
foreign key(ViewID)
references dbo.Views(ViewID)
on delete cascade
)
-- Run script
goOn Oct 22, 12:21 am, shapper <mdmo...@.gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I am creating a database where:
> - I have a Blogs and Folders system.
> - Use a common design so I can implement new systems in the future.
> Users, Comments, Ratings, View, Tags and Categories are tables common
> to all systems, i.e., used by Posts and Files in Blogs and Folders.
> - One Tag or Category can be associated to many Posts or Files.
> - One Comment, View or Rating should be only associated to one Post or
> one File. I am missing this ... (1)
> Relations between a File / Folder and Comments / Ratings / View /
> Tags / Categories are done using FilesRatings, FoldersViews, etc.
> I am using UniqueIdentifier as Primary Keys.
> I checked ASP.NET Membership tables, a few articles and few features
> in my project, such as renaming files with the GUID of their records.
> I didn't decided yet for INT or UNIQUEIDENTIFIER.
> I am looking for some feedback on the design of my database.
> One thing I think need to improve is mentioned in (1)
> But any advices to improve it would be great.
> Thank You,
> Miguel
> My Database Script:
> -- Users ...
> create table dbo.Users
> (
> UserID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_User primary key clustered,
> [Name] nvarchar(200) not null,
> Email nvarchar(200) null,
> UpdatedDate datetime not null
> )
> -- Categories ...
> create table dbo.Categories
> (
> CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Category primary key clustered,
> [Name] nvarchar(100) not null
> )
> -- Comments ...
> create table dbo.Comments
> (
> CommentID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Comment primary key clustered,
> AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
> Title nvarchar(400) null,
> Body nvarchar(max) null,
> UpdatedDate datetime not null,
> constraint FK_Comments_Users
> foreign key(AuthorID)
> references dbo.Users(UserID)
> )
> -- Ratings ...
> create table dbo.Ratings
> (
> RatingID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Rating primary key clustered,
> AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
> Value float not null,
> constraint FK_Ratings_Users
> foreign key(AuthorID)
> references dbo.Users(UserID)
> )
> -- Tags ...
> create table dbo.Tags
> (
> TagID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Tag primary key clustered,
> [Name] nvarchar(100) not null
> )
> -- Views ...
> create table dbo.Views
> (
> ViewID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_View primary key clustered,
> Ticket [datetime] not null
> )
> -- Blogs ...
> create table dbo.Blogs
> (
> BlogID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Blog primary key clustered,
> Title nvarchar(400) null,
> Description nvarchar(2000) null,
> CreatedDate datetime null
> )
> -- Posts ...
> create table dbo.Posts
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Post primary key clustered,
> BlogID uniqueidentifier not null,
> AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
> Title nchar(1000) null,
> Body nvarchar(max) null,
> UpdatedDate datetime not null,
> IsPublished bit not null,
> constraint FK_Posts_Blogs
> foreign key(BlogID)
> references dbo.Blogs(BlogID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_Posts_Users
> foreign key(AuthorID)
> references dbo.Users(UserID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- PostsCategories ...
> create table dbo.PostsCategories
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
> CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_PostsCategories
> primary key clustered (PostID, CategoryID),
> constraint FK_PostsCategories_Posts
> foreign key(PostID)
> references dbo.Posts(PostID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_PostsCategories_Categories
> foreign key(CategoryID)
> references dbo.Categories(CategoryID)
> )
> -- PostsComments ...
> create table dbo.PostsComments
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
> CommentID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_PostsComments
> primary key clustered (PostID, CommentID),
> constraint FK_PostsComments_Posts
> foreign key(PostID)
> references dbo.Posts(PostID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_PostsComments_Comments
> foreign key(CommentID)
> references dbo.Comments(CommentID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- PostsRatings ...
> create table dbo.PostsRatings
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
> RatingID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_PostsRatings
> primary key clustered (PostID, RatingID),
> constraint FK_PostsRatings_Posts
> foreign key(PostID)
> references dbo.Posts(PostID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_PostsRatings_Ratings
> foreign key(RatingID)
> references dbo.Ratings(RatingID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- PostsTags ...
> create table dbo.PostsTags
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
> TagID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_PostsTags
> primary key clustered (PostID, TagID),
> constraint FK_PostsTags_Posts
> foreign key(PostID)
> references dbo.Posts(PostID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_PostsTags_Tags
> foreign key(TagID)
> references dbo.Tags(TagID)
> )
> -- PostsViews ...
> create table dbo.PostsViews
> (
> PostID uniqueidentifier not null,
> ViewID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_PostsViews
> primary key clustered (PostID, ViewID),
> constraint FK_PostsViews_Posts
> foreign key(PostID)
> references dbo.Posts(PostID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_PostsViews_Views
> foreign key(ViewID)
> references dbo.Views(ViewID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- Folders ...
> create table dbo.Folders
> (
> FolderID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_Folder primary key clustered,
> [Name] nvarchar(100) null,
> Description nvarchar(2000) null,
> CreatedDate datetime not null,
> URL nvarchar(400) not null
> )
> -- Files ...
> create table dbo.Files
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null
> constraint PK_File primary key clustered,
> FolderID uniqueidentifier not null,
> AuthorID uniqueidentifier not null,
> Title nvarchar(400) null,
> Description nvarchar(2000) null,
> [Name] nvarchar(100) not null,
> URL nvarchar(400) not null,
> UpdatedDate datetime not null,
> IsPublished bit not null,
> Type nvarchar(50) null,
> constraint FK_Files_Folders
> foreign key(FolderID)
> references dbo.Folders(FolderID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_Files_Users
> foreign key(AuthorID)
> references dbo.Users(UserID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- FilesCategories ...
> create table dbo.FilesCategories
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
> CategoryID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_FilesCategories
> primary key clustered (FileID, CategoryID),
> constraint FK_FilesCategories_Files
> foreign key(FileID)
> references dbo.Files(FileID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_FilesCategories_Categories
> foreign key(CategoryID)
> references dbo.Categories(CategoryID)
> )
> -- FilesComments ...
> create table dbo.FilesComments
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
> CommentID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_FilesComments
> primary key clustered (FileID, CommentID),
> constraint FK_FilesComments_Files
> foreign key(FileID)
> references dbo.Files(FileID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_FilesComments_Comments
> foreign key(CommentID)
> references dbo.Comments(CommentID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- FilesRatings ...
> create table dbo.FilesRatings
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
> RatingID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_FilesRatings
> primary key clustered (FileID, RatingID),
> constraint FK_FilesRatings_Files
> foreign key(FileID)
> references dbo.Files(FileID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_FilesRatings_Ratings
> foreign key(RatingID)
> references dbo.Ratings(RatingID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- FilesTags ...
> create table dbo.FilesTags
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
> TagID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_FilesTags
> primary key clustered (FileID, TagID),
> constraint FK_FilesTags_Files
> foreign key(FileID)
> references dbo.Files(FileID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_FilesTags_Tags
> foreign key(TagID)
> references dbo.Tags(TagID)
> )
> -- FilesViews ...
> create table dbo.FilesViews
> (
> FileID uniqueidentifier not null,
> ViewID uniqueidentifier not null,
> constraint PK_FilesViews
> primary key clustered (FileID, ViewID),
> constraint FK_FilesViews_Files
> foreign key(FileID)
> references dbo.Files(FileID)
> on delete cascade,
> constraint FK_FilesViews_Views
> foreign key(ViewID)
> references dbo.Views(ViewID)
> on delete cascade
> )
> -- Run script
> go
Please, anyone?
Does someone sees a way to improve this?
Thanks,
Miguel

Database Design Question

I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share a
basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer table.
What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database that
contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to this
table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup some
type of replication)?
I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining tables
from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Scott Fox, MCAD
Joining across databases is no problem (across instances can be, performancewise). You cannot define
foreign keys, though. So data integrity (RI) has to be done using triggers. There's no best way,
though. Consider advantages and disadvantages for both approaches and use the one that suits you
best. And handle the disadvantages that the solution has.
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com/
Blog: http://solidqualitylearning.com/blogs/tibor/
"Scott" <Scott@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F9BC8DAB-6122-4BC8-AA45-90DCED9EEE79@.microsoft.com...
>I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share a
> basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer table.
> What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database that
> contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to this
> table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
> number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup some
> type of replication)?
> I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining tables
> from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Thank you.
> Scott Fox, MCAD

Database Design Question

I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share a
basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer table
.
What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database that
contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to thi
s
table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup some
type of replication)?
I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining tables
from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Scott Fox, MCADJoining across databases is no problem (across instances can be, performance
wise). You cannot define
foreign keys, though. So data integrity (RI) has to be done using triggers.
There's no best way,
though. Consider advantages and disadvantages for both approaches and use th
e one that suits you
best. And handle the disadvantages that the solution has.
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com/
Blog: http://solidqualitylearning.com/blogs/tibor/
"Scott" <Scott@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F9BC8DAB-6122-4BC8-AA45-90DCED9EEE79@.microsoft.com...
>I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share
a
> basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer tab
le.
> What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database tha
t
> contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to t
his
> table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
> number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup so
me
> type of replication)?
> I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining table
s
> from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Thank you.
> Scott Fox, MCAD

Database Design Question

I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share a
basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer table.
What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database that
contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to this
table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup some
type of replication)?
I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining tables
from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Scott Fox, MCADJoining across databases is no problem (across instances can be, performancewise). You cannot define
foreign keys, though. So data integrity (RI) has to be done using triggers. There's no best way,
though. Consider advantages and disadvantages for both approaches and use the one that suits you
best. And handle the disadvantages that the solution has.
--
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com/
Blog: http://solidqualitylearning.com/blogs/tibor/
"Scott" <Scott@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F9BC8DAB-6122-4BC8-AA45-90DCED9EEE79@.microsoft.com...
>I have several SQL databases that I am going to create that will all share a
> basic part number/part description table, as well as a common customer table.
> What is the best way to design this? Should I have a central database that
> contains the master tables and then have all of the other tables link to this
> table?, or should I set each database with their own copy of this part
> number/customer table so they can link to those instead (and then setup some
> type of replication)?
> I just was not sure if it was good practice to be constantly joining tables
> from two different databases each time a SELECT statement is run.
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Thank you.
> Scott Fox, MCAD

Database Design

We have thre projects that are having databases designed for. All of these have a common set of tables (Human Resources, Facilities, States, etc). I would like to build each of these database seperately, but share these common tables among all three pro
jects.
While I know we can join tables between databases, I would like to work with these in the diagram designer. Is there anyway to accomplish this?
You can create views in each DB that reference the common tables in
another DB. I don't think there's any way to show tables from another
database in EM's diagram tool though. Best use a grown-up diagram app
such as MS Visio.
David Portas
SQL Server MVP

Database Design

We have thre projects that are having databases designed for. All of these
have a common set of tables (Human Resources, Facilities, States, etc). I w
ould like to build each of these database seperately, but share these common
tables among all three pro
jects.
While I know we can join tables between databases, I would like to work with
these in the diagram designer. Is there anyway to accomplish this?You can create views in each DB that reference the common tables in
another DB. I don't think there's any way to show tables from another
database in EM's diagram tool though. Best use a grown-up diagram app
such as MS Visio.
David Portas
SQL Server MVP
--

Database Design

We have thre projects that are having databases designed for. All of these have a common set of tables (Human Resources, Facilities, States, etc). I would like to build each of these database seperately, but share these common tables among all three projects.
While I know we can join tables between databases, I would like to work with these in the diagram designer. Is there anyway to accomplish this?You can create views in each DB that reference the common tables in
another DB. I don't think there's any way to show tables from another
database in EM's diagram tool though. Best use a grown-up diagram app
such as MS Visio.
--
David Portas
SQL Server MVP
--