automatic creation of new fields from records in a separat..

Hello,
I am creating a database to record details of all the computers in the
school where I work, unfortunately I am relatively inexperienced with access.
I have created one table for PCs with fields like processor speed, hard disk
size, operating system etc. and one for software, showing program name,
supplier, number of operating licenses and so on. I would like to be able to
have one "installed? (yes/no)" field for each item of software in the PC
table, and to have this update as and when I add new items of software to the
software library without the need for me to go in and specifically define
each field in turn. Is there a way to do this, or am I approaching the
problem from the wrong angle?

Any help much appreciated, my grateful thanks in anticipation,
Jonathan A. Cheyne.

What you need to do is think relational database instead of spreadsheet.

You need a Child table to the PC table that identifies the software
installed on the PC. You have the basics already. You have a table for
computers and a table for software, but there is a many to many relationship
between the two.
One PC may have many software packages installed and one software package
may be installed on many computers.

So, all the table really needs is two fields to use as foreign keys for
primary key field of the PC table and the primary key field of the software
table. You might want other info like date installed, installed by, etc. but
carrying the two primar keys from the PC and Software tables resolves the
many to many.

Now, you don't have to modify any tables. Whenever you install a package on
a PC, you record that in your database. This will also give you the ability
to know what software is installed on a PC and which PC's have a specific
software package installed.
--
Dave Hargis, Microsoft Access MVP


"Jonathan A. Cheyne" wrote:

> Hello,
> I am creating a database to record details of all the computers in the
> school where I work, unfortunately I am relatively inexperienced with access.
> I have created one table for PCs with fields like processor speed, hard disk
> size, operating system etc. and one for software, showing program name,
> supplier, number of operating licenses and so on. I would like to be able to
> have one "installed? (yes/no)" field for each item of software in the PC
> table, and to have this update as and when I add new items of software to the
> software library without the need for me to go in and specifically define
> each field in turn. Is there a way to do this, or am I approaching the
> problem from the wrong angle?
>
> Any help much appreciated, my grateful thanks in anticipation,
> Jonathan A. Cheyne.