[DUG] Runtime user defined fields

[Todd Martin]

Hi Steve

When you say you want the user to be able to add fields, is this
intended to be a one-off exercise to customise the database. ie. when
the application is first installed?

Todd.
> Hi everyone,
>
> I've been away from programming for a while so please excuse the
> seemingly simple question.
>
> I'm designing a user interface for a new application and wondered if
> there was a generally accepted way that this "should" be done.
>
> The application will allow end users to edit their forms allowing them
> to add, move, and remove fields at runtime. I'm using MySQL but I was
> wondering if there was an accepted way of adding and changing fields
> to a database.
>
> I know I can use SQL for this but I also don't want to make every
> application unable to be managed or upgraded. Perhaps I can ensure
> that the 3-4 permanent fields are never able to be altered (ID, Name,
> etc) but allow the user (through a suitable user-friendly interface)
> to go crazy adding such fields as My_favourite_colour, Rating,
> Priority, Notes, etc. etc.
>
> I'm able to give a suitable user-friendly interface to allow them to
> physically alter the Delphi form at runtime, but wondered about the
> "most appropriate way" to modify the fields to the database.
>
> 1. I could simply add fields using SQL's ALTER TABLE
> 2. I could add another table with fields such as TableName, FieldName,
> Type, etc.. and add to that
> 3. Some other spiffy way that you people will suggest that I haven't
> even thought of yet.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>
> Steve Peacocke
> +64 220 612-611
> http://www.nzorient.co.nz
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-- 
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