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Sample DB Schema for EDC/Form Builder App

moondaddy 1 Reputation point
2021-04-14T21:01:00.453+00:00

I'm looking into building a database for an EDC system where the users can dynamically build each screen/form online. These are like simplified "No Code" apps. My understanding is that all fields for all screens will be in one table (vertical rather than horizontal) and the screens and data will be constructed from metadata. Obviously performance will be an issue among other things.

Are there examples db schemas for this type of solution I can look at to see how others handled this?

Thank you.

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  1. Erland Sommarskog 120.2K Reputation points MVP
    2021-04-14T21:27:46.31+00:00

    My understanding is that all fields for all screens will be in one table (vertical rather than horizontal)

    This sounds like you will end up with what is known as an EAV design, Entity-Attribute-Value.

    Obviously performance will be an issue among other things.

    EAV is generally frowned upon, because far to often it is a cop-out from doing proper data modelling. However, EAV has its place, and I have used it some corners of applications I have worked with. I would not like to make a centrepiece of the design, though. And least of all if performance is of interest.

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