[thelist] Important Database Design note

[Tyme]

<tip type="Database Design; Accessability" author="Tyme">
Please, please, please people...when you design a database, allow for a null
value for the middle _and_ first name fields!  Not everyone has a
traditional name.  Design for what is legal rather than for what is most
popular. You can set a form validation script to alert the user to the blank
field.  E.g., "This field has been left blank.  Is that correct?  [OK]
[CANCEL]"  If a user cannot enter their name into your system as it appears
on their legal documentation, you have a defective database.
...Alternatively, or even better still, allow for a hyphen and add a form
note on using the "-".  This accommodates those who require a null field(s)
and those who use a hyphenated name, which is very common today.  Your
ill-conceived databases not only restrict some of us from using your
site/services, but they also disrespect us. At least dare to get your
customers name right.
</tip>

*sigh*

Tyme