Posted by David Portas on 02/16/06 13:47

Shwetabh wrote:
> Actually I am not asking about the alternatives. I just want to know
> that are
> relational databases really necessary for me if I require just a single
> record
> every time with no changes in structure, i.e I always need a record
> based on
> a unique value. Do i still need to create relations in the database or
> am I better off
> butting all fields in a single table and getting data from there.

I don't think you asked the right question. It seems you aren't asking
whether to use relational database systems but whether to normalize
your database or not.

The main motivation to normalize data is to preserve its integrity when
it is updated. A secondary reason is that normalization can help
performance by ensuring you aren't maintaining redundant data. Given
those factors you ought to have a good excuse if you don't normalize.

--
David Portas, SQL Server MVP

Whenever possible please post enough code to reproduce your problem.
Including CREATE TABLE and INSERT statements usually helps.
State what version of SQL Server you are using and specify the content
of any error messages.

SQL Server Books Online:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/ms130214(en-US,SQL.90).aspx
--

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