array vs join table

If I have a 1:N relationship between things, should I use an array or a separate table like I would in a relational database?

eg.:

cohortsTable = [{id: "cohort1", enrollments: ["user1", "user2"]}]

cohortsTable = [{id: "cohort1", enrollments: ["user1", "user2"]}]

cohortsTable = {id: "cohort1"}
enrollmentsTable = [{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user1"},
{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user2"}]

cohortsTable = {id: "cohort1"}
enrollmentsTable = [{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user1"},
{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user2"}]

Is there an article discussing the tradeoffs and how to decide between the two options?

2 replies

array vs join table

If I have a 1:N relationship between things, should I use an array or a separate table like I would in a relational database?

eg.:

cohortsTable = [{id: "cohort1", enrollments: ["user1", "user2"]}]

cohortsTable = [{id: "cohort1", enrollments: ["user1", "user2"]}]

cohortsTable = {id: "cohort1"}
enrollmentsTable = [{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user1"},
{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user2"}]

cohortsTable = {id: "cohort1"}
enrollmentsTable = [{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user1"},
{cohortId: "cohort1", enrollment: "user2"}]

Is there an article discussing the tradeoffs and how to decide between the two options?

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