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aezzell-gpworldwide - 9/14/2010 10:30:25 AM
   
custom table or new document type?
Can someone please explain when to use a custom table vs. creating a new document type?

I feel like I'm missing something really basic here.

Also, is there a way to create a new document type from an existing custom table? We have a bunch of course data in another database, and I have successfully imported what I need into a custom table in Kentico, but if it turns out that I need to make it into a document type to use it, can that be done?

I eventually want to be able to use these course listings in a shopping cart - does that affect the choice between custom table & new document type?

Thanks.


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kentico_borisp - 9/14/2010 12:39:13 PM
   
RE:custom table or new document type?
Hello,

It depends on the usage. Custom tables are good for storing large amounts of data with a small growth of the database. Document types are used for documents, and every document takes more space than one line in a custom table. However, documents can be easily displayed in the content tree, there can be permissions applied...

You can create a document type, which will be the template of your documents and create those programmatically. You can find an API example by following this link.

If you want to use it later, to be managable by the system, then I think the best choice would be the new document type.

Best regards,
Boris Pocatko