It is useful when viewing many applications to be aware of the structure of the data that the screens draw from. Your data is stored in SQL Server which is referred to as a relational database – this is a generic name given to a group of database programs that store information in indexed tables with the tables being related to each other either by a one to one relationship or alternatively a one to many relationship, there are many to many relationships as well but this is is actually 2 one to many relationships. Data is segregated into tables each with an index using a procedure called normalisation. An index is simply a unique number given to each new record. Indexes are not always visible to the user. The way this database has been designed every tables index is called PKID. In certain circumstances you will be able to see the indexes of some fields where you can see them this is a quick way of identifying a unique record. Normalisation is an idea based around simple group set algebra that reduces duplication of data, done well it allows for substantially reduced data entry and maintenance requirements for users.
The CASK Inventory database is arranged into primary tables and lookup tables. Primary tables hold information whereas lookup tables can hold the values that are stored in individual fields.
The main tables in this database at February 2020 are
CASK FILL – holds information pertaining to whisky in a cask
TRANSACTIONS – holds all individual transactions
PERSON – holds the attributes of individuals
ORGANISATION – holds attributes relating to separate organisations
CASK NOTES – holds notes about differing casks
CASK TRANSFER – holds notes about cask transfers
CASK SAMPLES – holds details assoiciated with sampling of tables
By referentially relating these tables and lookup tables infinite amounts of information are possible to be stored.
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