#21 Allow Relations to be defined inside Objects

[Shun Yu]

It would be great if it was possible to define more flexible relations. One example would be defining relations INSIDE objects, linked to other objects.

So that instead of keeping a separate table where one would store the relation in the database, it can use a foreign key. This way it's possible to reduce database footprint and also give more options to the developer.

[Gulliver]

I thought about this also.

One special case is a 1:many relation (to another entry?) with no additional fields, this could be mapped into a foreign key relation inside the table (on the 1 side).

easier defining of relations is not bound to this special case, i would define this as another issue.

[Anonymous]

Can you explain the special case a little more? Do you mean you can just define it as a table with just foreign keys, and for each target on the many side, you have a entry in the table?

[Gulliver]

For One-To-Many Relations it is possible to make a better representation in the database. Instead of using a separate table for the relation you store the id of the many-Side into a table row on the "one"-side entity of the relation (and use it as foreign key to the other relation side).

a many-to-many relation needs a separate table for the relation, storing the id of both sides in a table row (both sides used as foreign key).