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Common Modeling Patterns

This page shows common, proven ways to model real operational systems in AnyDB.

Orders and Line Items​

Model​

  • Order
    • Order Line (Children Record)
      • quantity
      • price
      • link → Product

Order Line Example

Why this works​

  • order lines belong to an order → Children Records
  • products are reusable → Link
  • totals come from order lines

Avoid​

  • using Product directly as an order line

Inventory and Warehouses​

Model​

  • Warehouse
    • Inventory Record (Children Record)
      • quantity
      • batch / lot
      • link → Product

Warehouse Inventory

Why this works​

  • inventory records are physical instances → Children Records
  • warehouses aggregate stock
  • products stay reusable

Projects and Tasks​

Model​

  • Project
    • Task (Children Record)
      • status
      • due date
      • link → Employee

Project Tasks

Why this works​

  • tasks belong to a project → Children Records
  • people are reused → Link

Vendors and Purchase Orders​

Model​

  • Vendor
  • Purchase Order (Children Record)
    • PO Line (Children Record)
      • quantity
      • cost
      • link → Product

Vendor PO

Why this works​

  • vendors are independent
  • POs belong to vendors
  • line items belong to POs
  • totals roll up cleanly

Simple rule​

Ask:

  • Does it belong inside something else? → Children Records
  • Is it reused across many places? → Link

What to remember​

  • Use Children Records for structure and totals
  • Use Links for reuse
  • Most systems use both

Start simple. Expand later.