Database Design – Structuring Cars-Models and Car Classifieds

database-design

I'm developing a database for Car Classifieds. I'm not sure how is the best way to design it. There are several features of cars like if it has 2 or 4 doors, if it is 4×4 or 4×2, engine capacity of 1.6 or 2.0.

All these features are particular for a car but they have to be limited to what that model has. So if someone is posting a bike, for example, it would not show the option in a drop-down for 4×4, or engines other than that model's.

I don't want to make this generic. It will only be for cars, so thinking about how it would be best for generic classifieds is not necessary.

What would be the best way to design this?

More Info:

My problem is how to design the relation between a Car Model and an actual car. For example, the Year of a Model could go from 1990-2000. When someone is going to add a car of that model I only want them to be able to choose from the options that model has. How do I store this in a database?

Best Answer

Perhaps something like this:

CREATE TABLE make (
    make_id INT NOT NULL,
    make_name VARCHAR(25),
    PRIMARY KEY(make_id);
);

CREATE TABLE model (
    model_id NOT NULL,
    make_id NOT NULL,
    model_name VARCHAR(25),
    PRIMARY KEY(model_id)
);

CREATE TABLE model_year (
    model_id INT NOT NULL,
    year_num INT NOT NULL,
    PRIMARY KEY (model_id, year_num)
);

CREATE TABLE transmission (
    transmission_id INT NOT NULL,
    transmission_descrip VARCHAR(15),
    PRIMARY KEY (transmission_id)
);

CREATE TABLE drive (
    drive_id INT NOT NULL,
    drive_descrip VARCHAR(10),
    PRIMARY KEY (drive_id)
);

INSERT INTO transmission (transmission_id, transmission_descrip)
VALUES (1, 'Auto'), (2, '4-speed manual'), (3, '5-speed manual');

INSERT INTO drive (drive_id, drive_descrip)
VALUES (1, '2WD Front'), (2, '2WD Rear'), (3, '4WD'), (4, 'AWD');

To allow someone to add a 2005 Toyota Camry, first you need to make sure Toyota is in the make table, Camry is in the model table, and 2005 is available for the Camry:

INSERT INTO make (make_id, make_name)
VALUES (1, 'Toyota');

INSERT INTO model (model_id, model_name)
VALUES (1, 1, 'Camry');

INSERT INTO model_year (model_id, year_num)
VALUES (1, 2005);

We keep certain data on car buyers at my job, and in selecting the car type (either currently owned or looking to buy), we have them select the year, then make, then model and options from drop-downs. Each drop-down is populated on the fly based on previous answers. First the year:

SELECT DISTINCT year_num FROM model_year;

Then the make (you can't pick Pontiac for 2013):

SELECT DISTINCT m.make_id
FROM make m
INNER JOIN model mo ON mo.make_id = m.make_id
INNER JOIN model_year my ON my.model_id = mo.model_id
WHERE my.year_num = @some_year_variable;

Then the model drop-down gets populated based on:

SELECT DISTINCT model_id
FROM make m
INNER JOIN model mo ON mo.make_id = m.make_id
INNER JOIN model_year my ON my.model_id = mo.model_id
WHERE my.year_num = @some_year_variable
    AND ma.make_id = @some_make_variable;

You get the idea. As far as constraining other options for a model, there are a few options, based on how strict you want to be, how much time you want to spend managing it, and how much you know about the auto industry.

Since all cars have a drive type and transmission, you might want to make those separate tables, like:

CREATE TABLE model_transmission (
    model_id INT NOT NULL,
    year_num INT NOT NULL, -- include this to restrict tranny based on some years 
                           -- certain models had different trannies offered   
    transmission_id INT NOT NULL,
    PRIMARY KEY (model_id, transmission_id) -- include year_num in PK if it is in the
                                            -- table
);

CREATE TABLE model_drive (
    model_id INT NOT NULL,
    year_num INT NOT NULL, -- again, if you are up to this level of control
    drive_id INT NOT NULL,
    PRIMARY KEY (model_id, drive_id) --include year_num in PK if it is in the table
);

Or you could use an option table and a model_option table, like this:

CREATE TABLE option (
    option_id INT NOT NULL,
    option_descrip VARCHAR(25),
    PRIMARY KEY (option_id)
);

INSERT INTO option (option_id, option_descrip)
VALUES (1, 'Transmission'), (2, 'Drive'), (3, 'Doors');

CREATE TABLE model_option (
    model_id INT NOT NULL,
    option_id INT NOT NULL,
    option_value VARCHAR(15),
    PRIMARY KEY (model_id, option_id) -- include year_num as above if desired
);

INSERT INTO model_option (model_id, option_id, option_value)
VALUES (1, 1, '1'), (1, 2, '1'), (1, 3, '4'); -- All Camrys now have automatic,
                                              -- front-wheel drive, and 4-door options
                                              -- available

I prefer the first approach as you can see the problem with referential integrity inherent in the second, plus it makes it more awkward to restrict available options. The table for listed cars might be like this:

CREATE TABLE car (
    listing_id INT NOT NULL,
    year_num INT NOT NULL,
    model_id INT NOT NULL,
    transmission_id INT NOT NULL,
    drive_id INT NOT NULL,
    doors INT NOT NULL, -- might want varchar to include 'hatchback' or other options
    mileage INT,
    customer_id INT NOT NULL,
    PRIMARY KEY (listing_id)
);

If this doesn't address a particular feature you believe you need just add a comment.

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