MasterSource and MasterFields
The MasterSource and MasterFields properties of the TADOTable component define master-detail relationships in Delphi/ADO database applications.

To create a master-detail relationships with Delphi, you simply need to set the detail table's MasterSource property to the DataSource of the master table and its MasterFields property to the chosen key field in the master table.

In our case, first, set ADOTable2.MasterSource to be DataSource1. Second, activate the Field Link Designer window to set the MasterFields property: in the Detail Fields list box and the Master Fields list box select the CustNo field. Click Add and OK.

These properties keep both tables in synchronization, so as you move through the Customers table, the Orders table will only move to records which match the key field (CustNo) in the Customers table.

Each time you highlight a row and select a new customer, the second grid displays only the orders pertaining to that customer.

When you delete a record in a master table - all the corresponding record in the detail table are deleted. When you change a linked field in a record in a master table - the corresponding field in the detail table gets changed to (in as many records as needed).

Simple as that!

Stop. Note that creating a master-detail form with Delphi is not enough to support referential integrity features on two tables. Even though we can use methods described here to display two tables in a parent-child relation; if those two tables are not linked (one-to-many) within MS Access - cascading updates and deletes won't take place if you try to delete or update the "master" record.

   ADO Shaping
Shaped recordsets are an alternative to master-detail relationships. Beginning with ADO 2.0, this method is available. Shaped recordsets allow the developer to retrieve data in a hierarchical fashion. The shaped recordset adds a special "field" that is actually a recordset unto itself. Essentially, data shaping gives you the ability to build hierarchical recordsets. For instance, a typical hierarchical recordset might consist of a parent recordset with several fields, one of which might be another recordset.

For an example of the SHAPE command take a look at the shapedemo project that shiped with Delphi (in the Demos\Ado directory). You must specify the shaping provider in your connection string, by adding Provider=MSDataShape; to the beginning.

SHAPE {select * from customer}
APPEND ({select * from orders} AS Orders
RELATE CustNo TO CustNo)

Although it takes some time to master the SHAPE command that's used to create these queries, it can result in significantly smaller resultsets. Data shaping reduces the amount of traffic crossing a network, provides more flexibility when using aggregate functions, and reduces overhead when interfacing with leading-edge tools like XML.

   To the next chapter
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