Hi

I have been reviewing the features, the underlying relational tables, and the logical structure of the User Defined Table module. I am using DNN V4.3.4 and SQL Server 2005. I have a question about how to handle multiple values for a given row and column.

Here is an example: Members of an organization have name, telephone number, and certification columns. They can have multiple certifications. Normally you would have a separate certification table with a foreign key linking it to the member table. I can think of a number of ways to handle this using the UDT all of which violate normal form rules. I would like to maintain 3rd normal form “behind the scenes” in the database at least on a conceptual basis. However, given the database structure for UDTs this doesn’t appear that easy to do. Perhaps my table requirements are beyond the design objectives of the standard DNN UDT. Should I be looking at SQLGridSelectedView or Advanced DataGrid from Efficion? I have seen those recommended for other requirements that don’t exactly fit the UDT module approach.

Also if I want to import data from an external data source using the import feature I assume I’ll have to output the XML document from my other data source and write the SQL to do that. I have exported an example XML document from a sample UDT that I created and was going to use that as a model to format my output. Is that the best approach or is there a better way?

Thanks,

GM

Hi GM,

I am working on a CSV Import, first bits are working. As its state is pre alpha don't expect it in short term.

Your described way will work, in fact the CSV Import will work nearly the same, it will be internally converted to XML and imported to UDT.

One warning: you MUST set up one column with data type CreatedBy, and it is highly recommend to add the ChangedBy/At/CreatedAt columns too.