>Hello,
>
>I'm trying to figure out the syntax for updating a count column based on the child table count.
>Parent table has the columns columns pcode, childcount
>Child table has the columns pcode, childname
>
>I'm thinking I want to do something like the following, though I'm stuck
>figuring out how to finish the sql
>
>update parent
>set childcount =
> (select COUNT(item_code)
> from child
> where child.pcode = parent.pcode)
>
>How do I tell the subquery what the parent.pcode is?
>
>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>-Isaac

Not that I am a relational theory purist, but maintain a count of child records in the parent is generally considered "not a good idea" :). You can always get this data with the following SQL statement:

SELECT Child.PCode, COUNT(*)
FROM Child
GROUP BY PCode

This solution works well for a couple of reasons:

1. Space is saved - although it may be minor, you do not need the count column in the parent table.
2. Speed - Every time a child record is added or deleted (which may be often), you don't have the added overhead of counting all the child records and updating the parent.