A dorky One to Many explanation

[AngriBuddhist]

Let’s say that you have 500 Planet records and 100 Solar System records and that their forms are linked together. When in the Planet record and choosing which of the Solar Systems to link to, there may be 100 options but there’s only ONE answer.

ONE solar system can have MANY planets. Each of the MANY planets will be, and can only ever be, in ONE solar system. When one side of the link can only have ONE answer, the One to Many option may be best. When customizing the forms, add the Link To to the ONE, in this case it’s the Solar System form. Keep in mind that you can only create the link from the Many side record.

You also have 30 Element records whose form is linked to the Planet form. When in any of the Planet records and choosing which of the 30 Elements to link to, some, all or none of them may apply. There are MANY answers.

Of the MANY different elements, some, all or none of them may be on each of the MANY planets. When both sides of the link can have MANY answers, the Many to Many option is your only choice. When customizing the forms, this Link To can be added to either side of the link. When in the actual record, you can create the link from either side.

I stated that when both sides have MANY answers that the Many to Many link is your only option and that when one side has ONE answer that the One to Many link may be your best option. As you may already know, yes, you can use a Many to Many link even if one side only has ONE answer. So, if either one works, why would you choose a One to Many link? Besides saving a click (or tap) here and there while setting up or using a One to Many, the main benefit is in the presentation.

Using the example above, a Many to Many link between forms will present itself the same way on both records.

<Planet> Alpha Prime
<Link> Elements (6)

<Element> Silicon
<Link> Planets (42)

On each end there can be many links so you’re only presented with how many links there are, 6 and 42.

A One to Many link between forms will present itself differently on either record. One end will be the same as a Many to Many, showing how many links there are, and the other end will have a card or thumbnail showing the first few fields of the linked to record, which is only possible because there is, and only will ever be ONE link.

<Solar System> Benari Star
<Link> Planets (8)

<Planet> Alpha Prime
Solar System
Benari Star
Slartibartfast Region
G2m

If something is unclear, or just wrong, please feel free to comment or correct me.

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