Database Column Names != Report Headings

Always remember that the column names returned in a result set do not have to be the same as what you eventually output at your presentation layer.

For example, suppose you have stored procedure that accepts a @CurrentYear parameter and returns a sales variance between the current year and the previous year for each customer. I often see programmers struggling with writing dynamic SQL to produce output like this:

CustomerID   2008 Total    2007 Total   Variance
----------   ----------    ----------   --------
ABC          $100          $50          $50
DEF          $200          $250         -$50

That is, the names of the columns vary based on the data; that is not a good way to return data from your database! A much better result set to return is simply this:

CustomerID   CurrentYear   PrevYear   Variance
----------   ----------    --------- --------
ABC          $100          $50        $50
DEF          $200          $250       -$50

Notice that with that set of columns, no dynamic SQL is needed, and the column names returned are always constant regardless of the value of the @CurrYear parameter.

As mentioned, the fact that your data set has columns labelled "CurrentYear" and "PrevYear" does not mean that you cannot re-label them any way that you like on your report or web page.

If your client code called the stored procedure and provided a @CurrentYear parameter, then it knows exactly what "CurrentYear" and "PrevYear" represent, and you can easily label the columns in the final result exactly as needed with simple formulas or a few lines of code.

Remember that in the world of relational database programming, table names and column names should be constant -- only the data itself should change. Focus on returning consistently structured data from your database, and let your client applications handle the labeling of columns to make them look nice.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 8:43 am and is filed under Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

152 Responses to “Database Column Names != Report Headings”

JAMIE on July 21st, 2010 at 8:32 am

MedicamentSpot.com. Canadian Health&Care.Special Internet Prices.Best quality drugs.No prescription online pharmacy. No prescription drugs. Buy pills online…

Buy:Cialis Professional.Viagra Super Force.Viagra.Tramadol.Cialis.Cialis Super Active+.Levitra.VPXL.Maxaman.Viagra Super Active+.Propecia.Soma.Cialis Soft Tabs.Viagra Professional.Viagra Soft Tabs.Zithromax.Super Active ED Pack….
ANGEL on September 5th, 2010 at 5:00 am

CheapTabletsOnline.com. Canadian Health&Care.Special Internet Prices.Best quality drugs.No prescription online pharmacy. No prescription drugs. Buy pills online…

Buy:Cialis.Cialis Professional.Zithromax.Levitra.Maxaman.Viagra Super Active+.Viagra Soft Tabs.Cialis Super Active+.Tramadol.Viagra Super Force.Propecia.Super Active ED Pack.Viagra.Viagra Professional.Soma.Cialis Soft Tabs.VPXL….
DUANE on November 10th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

NEW FASHION store. Original designers collection at low prices!!! 20 % TO 70 % OFF. END OF SEASON SALE!!!

…

BUY FASHION. TOP BRANDS: GUCCI, DOLCE&GABBANA, BURBERRY, DIESEL, ICEBERG, ROBERTO CAVALLI, EMPORIO ARMANI, VERSACE…
LONNIE on December 20th, 2010 at 10:07 am

abilify side effects in children…

Buydrugs without prescription…
JUAN on December 21st, 2010 at 12:04 pm

Accupril…

Buygeneric drugs…
JEFFREY on December 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 pm

cephalexin dosage for dogs…

Buygeneric drugs…
LAWRENCE on December 27th, 2010 at 11:16 am

……

Buygeneric meds…
DARRELL on December 27th, 2010 at 2:03 pm

actonel@adverse.reactions” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds…
JOHN on December 28th, 2010 at 11:59 am

shimmy@adalat.simone” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyit now…
EUGENE on December 28th, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Advair@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow it…
SHAWN on December 29th, 2010 at 10:42 am

fruite@of.the.earth.aloe.vera.juice.sale” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow…
SERGIO on December 30th, 2010 at 3:53 am

allopurinol@and.coumadin” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric drugs…
KELLY on December 30th, 2010 at 8:07 am

Ampicillin@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow it…
LARRY on December 30th, 2010 at 11:55 pm

..…

Buygeneric drugs…
JEROME on December 31st, 2010 at 3:37 am

ashwagandha@supplement.now” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds…
SIDNEY on December 31st, 2010 at 10:29 am

atarax@and.hives” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs…
ALBERTO on January 1st, 2011 at 5:54 am

Augmentin@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buywithout prescription…
RICK on January 1st, 2011 at 2:27 pm

Clonidine@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow…
RICK on January 2nd, 2011 at 2:34 am

celexa@canada.now” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow…
CECIL on January 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 pm

Chantix@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buydrugs without prescription…
BRIAN on January 4th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

buy@cheap.viagra.in.uk” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buywithout prescription…
ROLAND on January 6th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

prozac@dangers.now” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric drugs…
DOUGLAS on January 17th, 2011 at 1:14 am

Abilify@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow…
HUBERT on January 17th, 2011 at 4:21 am

Abilify@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow it…
HARVEY on January 21st, 2011 at 1:01 am

Zyvox@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric pills…
KIRK on January 21st, 2011 at 1:18 am

Depakote@official.site” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buyit now…
PHILIP on February 3rd, 2011 at 5:32 pm

side effects zyprexa overdose breathing autonomic…

Buyno prescription…
CLINTON on February 5th, 2011 at 1:09 am

Zocor…

Buygeneric meds…
LARRY on February 5th, 2011 at 3:07 pm

buy zithromax online…

Buyno prescription…
JAVIER on February 5th, 2011 at 6:49 pm

buy zinc anode everett wa…

Buygeneric meds…
DANIEL on February 6th, 2011 at 9:31 pm

xopenex coupon…

Buyno prescription…
REGINALD on February 6th, 2011 at 9:37 pm

dog zyrtec…

Buygeneric drugs…
RONNIE on February 6th, 2011 at 11:42 pm

zyprexa increase eps complaints…

Buyno prescription…
STUART on February 7th, 2011 at 8:42 am

Vytorin…

Buynow…
ALFONSO on March 2nd, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Zyvox…

Buydrugs without prescription…
ISAAC on March 2nd, 2011 at 11:03 pm

lioresal online…

Buygeneric drugs…
ANDY on March 4th, 2011 at 12:18 am

Vitamin B…

Buynow it…
MATHEW on March 4th, 2011 at 1:01 am

where to buy lamisil…

Buygeneric drugs…
CHAD on March 4th, 2011 at 6:11 am

Zyprexa…

Buydrugs without prescription…
DANA on March 4th, 2011 at 9:06 pm

pharmacokinetics of zyrtec…

Buyit now…
CHRIS on March 4th, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Rogaine…

Buygeneric meds…
FERNANDO on March 5th, 2011 at 9:37 pm

Rogaine…

Buyno prescription…
NICHOLAS on March 7th, 2011 at 1:43 am

Omnicef…

Buynow it…
JESSIE on March 7th, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Synthroid…

Buygeneric pills…
ANDRE on March 8th, 2011 at 2:59 am

Seroquel…

Buywithout prescription…
VIRGIL on March 8th, 2011 at 7:46 am

Retin A…

Buywithout prescription…
LONNIE on March 8th, 2011 at 10:16 am

Remeron…

Buyno prescription…
ALEX on March 8th, 2011 at 4:55 pm

purim suddah…

Buygeneric meds…
TERRANCE on March 8th, 2011 at 11:49 pm

howard county purim carnival 2010…

Buyno prescription…
VIRGIL on March 9th, 2011 at 12:47 am

Synthroid…

Buywithout prescription…
ANDRE on March 9th, 2011 at 11:42 am

Synthroid…

Buygeneric meds…
AARON on March 9th, 2011 at 12:06 pm

Risperdal…

Buygeneric pills…
ROBERTO on March 9th, 2011 at 4:02 pm

can i take expired zyrtec…

Buygeneric drugs…
TYRONE on March 9th, 2011 at 6:37 pm

Zyprexa…

Buyno prescription…
MARION on March 9th, 2011 at 11:39 pm

Purim…

Buyno prescription…
DUANE on March 10th, 2011 at 8:55 am

savella diabetes blood sugar…

Buygeneric drugs…
RUSSELL on March 10th, 2011 at 3:33 pm

Pulmicort…

Buywithout prescription…
ROBERTO on March 10th, 2011 at 10:42 pm

low dose haldol and paxil…

Buygeneric drugs…
ALFREDO on March 11th, 2011 at 8:46 am

Reglan…

Buywithout prescription…
ADRIAN on March 28th, 2011 at 7:40 am

Pyridium@Pyridium.Pyridium” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds…
JIMMIE on March 29th, 2011 at 2:22 am

Prozac@Prozac.Prozac” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow…
CLAUDE on March 29th, 2011 at 6:22 am

Tri@Cyclen.now” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buyno prescription…
EARL on March 29th, 2011 at 2:16 pm

Pulmicort@Pulmicort.Pulmicort” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyit now…
GEORGE on March 29th, 2011 at 2:22 pm

Soma@Soma.Soma” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buyno prescription…
ERIK on March 29th, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Sleep@Tea.now” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyno prescription…
JIMMY on March 29th, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Prozac@Prozac.Prozac” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric drugs…
ADRIAN on March 30th, 2011 at 7:01 am

Synthroid@Synthroid.Synthroid” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buynow it…
SAM on March 30th, 2011 at 7:48 am

Purim@Purim.Purim” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric drugs…
WILLIE on March 30th, 2011 at 11:18 am

Strattera@Strattera.Strattera” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow it…
ANDY on March 30th, 2011 at 11:48 am

Spiriva@Spiriva.Spiriva” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyno prescription…
EDGAR on March 30th, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Singulair@Singulair.Singulair” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric pills…
TYRONE on March 30th, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Prozac@Prozac.Prozac” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric pills…
BENJAMIN on March 30th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

Prozac@Prozac.Prozac” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buywithout prescription…
SEAN on March 31st, 2011 at 8:56 am

Singulair@Singulair.Singulair” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs…
RICKY on April 1st, 2011 at 1:01 pm

……

Buygeneric meds…
MANUEL on April 2nd, 2011 at 9:16 am

allegra@print.colorado.springs” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric drugs…
PHILIP on April 2nd, 2011 at 10:24 pm

chantix@vs.zyban” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyit now…
MARK on April 3rd, 2011 at 8:55 am

retin@a.cheap.no.prescription” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric drugs…
JAVIER on April 3rd, 2011 at 10:14 am

what@is.the.generic.name.for.coreg.medication” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric pills…
JARED on April 4th, 2011 at 12:17 am

high@dose.dexamethasone.induction” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buydrugs without prescription…
KIRK on April 4th, 2011 at 10:19 am

alternatives@to.premarin” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric pills…
ADRIAN on April 4th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

altace@generic.name” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow it…
HECTOR on April 4th, 2011 at 10:48 pm

order@altace.cod” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buynow…
LEROY on April 5th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

dosage@of.abilify” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buynow it…
JUAN on April 6th, 2011 at 5:54 am

……

Buyno prescription…
JIMMY on April 6th, 2011 at 11:14 pm

wholesale@ginseng.root” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buyno prescription…
SALVADOR on April 7th, 2011 at 3:44 am

..…

Buyit now…
Alexander7 on July 17th, 2011 at 9:17 am

buy@generic.LEVITRA” rel=”nofollow”>……

Need cheap generic LEVITRA?…
SETH on July 29th, 2011 at 12:30 am

Order@Cheap.Coral.Calcium” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric pills…
BRANDON on July 29th, 2011 at 12:53 am

Order@Discount.Coral.Calcium” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyno prescription…
LEWIS on July 29th, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Purchase@Cheap.Abilify” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buynow it…
RENE on July 31st, 2011 at 11:48 am

Buy@Coral.Calcium.Online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs…
SALVADOR on July 31st, 2011 at 2:15 pm

Order@Discount.Coral.Calcium” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric meds…
PERRY on July 31st, 2011 at 7:25 pm

Purchase@Cheap.Abana” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buywithout prescription…
SAMUEL on August 3rd, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Buy@Cheap.Acai” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric drugs…
FELIX on August 3rd, 2011 at 10:37 pm

Purchase@Cheap.Acai” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buyit now…
KELLY on August 4th, 2011 at 2:02 am

Cheap@Acai.Online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric meds…
MATHEW on August 6th, 2011 at 4:25 am

Order@Discount.Accutane” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buyno prescription…
CARL on August 7th, 2011 at 6:50 pm

Buy@Generic.Aciphex” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric meds…
NATHAN on August 8th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Purchase@Generic.Aciphex.20mg” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow it…
BILLY on August 9th, 2011 at 10:04 pm

Buy@Generic.Actonel” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs…
RUBEN on August 10th, 2011 at 12:54 am

Buy@Generic.Actonel.Without.Prescription” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric meds…
JONATHAN on August 10th, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Purchase@Generic.Actonel” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric meds vbg…
MARCUS on August 10th, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Purchase@Actonel.Without.Prescription” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buynow it vhx…
DARYL on August 10th, 2011 at 7:55 pm

Buy@Actoplus.Met.Online” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric drugs krg…
RAY on August 12th, 2011 at 11:10 pm

Buy@Discount.Abana” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs zfk…
LAWRENCE on August 13th, 2011 at 8:14 am

Purchase@Discount.Abilify” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buywithout prescription dyo…
SERGIO on August 13th, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Order@Generic.Abilify” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buyno prescription luw…
MITCHELL on August 13th, 2011 at 8:26 pm

Generic@Abilify.5mg.10mg.15mg.20mg.30mg.Without.Prescription” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buydrugs without prescription faj…
VINCENT on August 14th, 2011 at 5:09 am

Purchase@Acai.Online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buyit now ojb…
BRYAN on August 14th, 2011 at 10:55 pm

Buy@Generic.Acai.500mg” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buygeneric drugs nih…
HOMER on August 16th, 2011 at 6:46 am

Purchase@Cheap.Accupril” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyit now irl…
PHILIP on August 16th, 2011 at 7:50 am

Purchase@Discount.Accupril” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds svb…
MARVIN on August 17th, 2011 at 2:32 am

Cheap@Accutane.Online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buynow it lmg…
BRUCE on August 19th, 2011 at 4:16 am

Cheap@Generic.Aciphex.20mg” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow it zdg…
JOEL on August 19th, 2011 at 7:54 am

Buy@Acomplia.Online” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buyno prescription wkp…
CHRIS on August 21st, 2011 at 1:57 am

Cheap@Acomplia.Online” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric drugs nvr…
STEVE on August 25th, 2011 at 6:17 pm

Get@Albenza.Online” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buynow fjl…
BRENT on August 26th, 2011 at 6:03 am

abilify@and.weight.gain” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buyno prescription…
OLIVER on August 29th, 2011 at 12:08 am

phamacokinetic@of.amikacin” rel=”nofollow”>..…

Buygeneric drugs…
MARTIN on August 29th, 2011 at 3:04 am

ampicillin@500.mg” rel=”nofollow”>.…

Buydrugs without prescription…
LESTER on October 18th, 2011 at 9:41 am

methotrexate and tricyclerides side effects…

Buy_generic pills…
LUIS on October 18th, 2011 at 2:39 pm

cancer tattoos…

Buy_without prescription…
AUSTIN on October 21st, 2011 at 2:31 pm

obesity children summer…

Buy_it now…
NICK on October 22nd, 2011 at 7:12 am

prostate cancer injection treatment…

Buy_now it…
DON on October 23rd, 2011 at 5:28 am

medication for ibs…

Buy_generic drugs…
ENRIQUE on October 26th, 2011 at 12:52 pm

effects of bulimia only sometimes…

Buy_generic meds…
JESSIE on October 27th, 2011 at 12:33 am

boniva price…

Buy_drugs without prescription…
COREY on October 27th, 2011 at 11:52 pm

australia clinical research resume…

Buy_generic drugs…
KENT on October 28th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

tests for assessing anxiety…

Buy_now it…
GERALD on October 28th, 2011 at 8:48 pm

thyroid scan image…

Buy_generic pills…
JACOB on October 29th, 2011 at 1:25 pm

side effects of luvox…

Buy_now…
TED on October 31st, 2011 at 5:49 pm

tylenol without codeine related constipation…

Buy_it now…
WAYNE on November 2nd, 2011 at 3:11 am

advantage of skin cancer…

Buy_generic drugs…
AUSTIN on November 2nd, 2011 at 4:49 am

negative thyroid test…

Buy_no prescription…
ELMER on November 2nd, 2011 at 4:30 pm

household chemicals that kill fleas…

Buy_now it…
JOEY on November 3rd, 2011 at 1:19 pm

atkins diet first week foods…

Buy_without prescription…
GUY on November 3rd, 2011 at 2:59 pm

fungi amazing facts…

Buy_drugs without prescription…
LUKE on November 4th, 2011 at 9:56 pm

dog hives and what causes them…

Buy_drugs without prescription…
KYLE on November 5th, 2011 at 4:15 pm

depression amino acids…

Buy_drugs without prescription…
RAY on November 5th, 2011 at 7:36 pm

best drug store foundation…

Buy_generic meds…
RANDALL on November 6th, 2011 at 8:56 am

when develop toxemia pregnancy…

Buy_it now…
LOUIS on November 6th, 2011 at 11:55 pm

acne teens start treatment age…

Buy_it now…
LYNN on November 7th, 2011 at 3:16 am

period changes leading up to menopause…

Buy_it now…
EDWIN on November 7th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

drug additiction symptoms…

Buy_generic meds…
ALFRED on November 10th, 2011 at 5:10 pm

new birth control pill…

Buy_now it…
MILTON on November 12th, 2011 at 7:30 am

zocor orange juice effects…

Buy_no prescription…
FREDDIE on November 12th, 2011 at 8:49 pm

childrens ibuprofen diabetes…

Buy_without prescription…
DONALD on November 13th, 2011 at 6:29 pm

tsa drug dogs for adoptino…

Buy_generic drugs…
JIMMY on November 16th, 2011 at 3:28 am

barbecue interactions with drugs…

Buy_generic meds…
STANLEY on December 9th, 2011 at 2:33 am

green@mountain.coffee.cafe.club” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds…
JOHN on December 9th, 2011 at 5:40 am

protonix@experience.buy” rel=”nofollow”>……

Buygeneric meds…

Database Column Names != Report Headings

152 Responses to “Database Column Names != Report Headings”

Pages

Archives

Categories

Recent Entries