SQL Server - 1:n Comma seperated list

Asked By Robert Bravery

30-Jul-08 11:25 AM

Hi all,

I have a normal 1:N relation. My child table is just a list of string
values. I would like to have this list as a single column, comma seperated
So that I woul have a single row, with my parent description, then a column
with the child string valuse comma seperated.

Hope I have explaned correcly,

THanks
Robert


--
Web Development, Hosting, Design and Content Management Systems
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za

31-Jul-08 11:58 PM

Where is the DDL?


Where is the sample data?  Also "child" and "parent" are terms from
network databases. In RDBMS we have referenced and referencing  tables
instead.


This is called violation of First Normal Form (1NF) and Newbies try to
do it all the time because they don't understand that in a tiered
architecture, display formatting in done in the front end, never in
the database.  Please read a book on Relational databases so you do
not make this mistake again.

I am sure that someone will give you a kludge, so you can write bad
SQL.

30-Jul-08 11:40 AM

A few solutions here:
http://www.projectdmx.com/tsql/rowconcatenate.aspx


Plamen Ratchev
http://www.SQLStudio.com

31-Jul-08 11:58 PM

that I would have a single row, with my parent [sic] description, then a co=
lumn with the child [sic] string values comma separated. <<

Nonsense. Normal Forms do not apply to result sets. Your own books are
full of SELECT statements which produce result sets not in normal
forms.

30-Jul-08 02:34 PM

First, I don't really need to be grilled on terms here. Second I thought the
question was simple enough to not warant sample data and ddl, a point in the
right direction, so reading material would suffice. Third I know what 1NF
is. Let me tell you this, My db design is correct, this project is handles
by many developer, the client wants it this way, the SQL is writen at the
client end using Linq. Fourth Its not a mistake, its a request, next if you
have no help to offer, why don't you get off your high and mighty horse and
go and harras someone else.
O and BTW, if the kludge works, it works.

RObert


--
Web Development, Hosting, Design and Content Management Systems
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za

30-Jul-08 02:38 PM

THanks. At least someone has the kindness to point me to some reading that
was extremely helpfull.

Robert


--
Web Development, Hosting, Design and Content Management Systems
http://www.integralwebsolutions.co.za

31-Jul-08 12:33 PM

Some clients want you to assume the role of a gourmet SQL chef and will
gladly pay for it, while other clients expect nothing more than short order
kludges. At the end of the day, we all have to earn a living.