Jeandre,
> instead of normalizing the database. I think that they think that joining
> tables will slow down retrieval, is this true?
No, it's not. I'm afraid that your co-workers learned their computer
knowledge 10 years ago and have not kept up to date. They may need
retraining.
Modern database systems, especially PostgreSQL, are much faster with a proper
relational schema than with an inadequate flat-file table, due to the
efficient storage of data ... i.e., no redundancy.
I highly suggest that you take a look at the book "Database Design for Mere
Mortals"; if you're asking the question you posted, you are nowhere near
ready to build a production database application.
--
Josh Berkus
Aglio Database Solutions
San Francisco