Randy Clamons wrote, "Add a column to your states table that references the ECode of the EcoRegion. That will allow you to classify the smallest jurisdiction to an eco-region and limit the number of rows you need to maintain in the EcoRegions table. Create a unique index on ECode in the EcoRegions table."
OK, let's say my states table has 50 rows, for each of the 50 states. The primary key is either a column with the numerals 1-50 or a column with the postal codes (ak through wy). Here some sample rows: 1 | Alaska | state | ak 40 | Montana | state | mt 46 | Virginia | commonwealth | va Now suppose I add a column with EcoRegion symbols, beginning with the Great Plains. Montana's row now looks like this: 40 | Montana | state | mt | GP But Montana also includes the Rocky Mountains. That means I have to add two rows: 40 | Montana | state | mt | GP 41 | Montana | state | mt | RM or do this: 40 | Montana | state | mt | GP,RM Since creating two rows would presumably mess up my primary key, am I correct in assuming I should dump all the EcoRegion codes for a particular state in one cell? Also, I'll be linking to EcoRegions from my Nations table, too: 36 | Brazil | nation | lsv (La Selva) 226 | United States | nation | GP,RM,etc. Is this the best way to do it? __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2' http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes/movie?mid=1808405861 -- MySQL General Mailing List For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]