DB structure to writing a forum script.

[cooldude832]

I'm looking into making my own forum script and I want some honest opinions on the backend sql table structure I have.

Table 1: Users pk: UserID

Table 2: Threads: pk: ThreadID included keys (UserID BoardID)

Table 3: Boards: pk: BoardID

Table 4: Post: pk: PostID included keys (UserID, ThreadID)

 

Then just apply basic pagination from there to display based on ThreadID/BoardID

Is this a good system, or will having all post in 1 table screw me up?

[teng84]

you have a crossing table which is table4 so i guess you doing good and u also used id for that as foreign key which is cool

[Fadion]

I wrote a small and simple forum just sime time ago and basically my database structure was like yours, having board, thread, posts and users in different tables, with id referencing to the corresponding other. Guess u are ok with the structure.

[cooldude832]

Okay next question what type of field do I use for Titles and What type for the Entry.  I'm assumgin VarChar for the titles but blob or text for the post?

[teng84]

title use varchar and for the entry or post it depends on how long will you allow your user look and the legnth of those data types and decide what you really need  not what you want