# Bank imports and transfers

**URL:** <https://forum.manager.io/t/bank-imports-and-transfers/36352>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [August 1, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/bank-imports-and-transfers/36352 "2021-08-01T14:42:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 47

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**Author:** ![Ealfardan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/ealfardan/32/63166_2.png) [@Ealfardan](https://forum.manager.io/u/Ealfardan)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/bank-imports-and-transfers/36352/47 "2021-08-12T22:50:51Z")

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> [@Davide](#):
>
> In relational database you can have a many to many relationship. It implies that you will have an intermediate table

> [@Davide](#):
>
> But it uses SQLite to store data so it uses a relational database.

But manager is not a relational database, it’s an object-oriented or document database. And this is why many request aren’t really feasible to implement like many-to-many relations, multi-dimensions, SQL queries, etc. It’s not a bad thing though, it is a trade-off after all.

Here here 👇

> [@Should I be using Rest API to sync certain data](https://forum.manager.io/t/should-i-be-using-rest-api-to-sync-certain-data/29434/2):
>
> The reason there is no documentation for API is because I’m not sure myself what would be the best approach. I’m experiementing myself with what I like the most. One thing you can’t do is accessing SQLite database directly because Manager doesn’t store data in normalized scheme. SQLite database is used as a glorified file format, not as a relational database. I think custom reports would be the best approach here. You would send JSON definition of custom report and get back custom report in J…

That must be why it’s impossible to store a single object inside two other objects without a strict hierarchy in place: one has to be the parent of another. This is equivalent to having the `Accounts receivable` be the parent of `Accounts payable` or the other way round which doesn’t make any sense.

I tried to research this and the more I learn about OODB and it’s advantages, the more I appreciate the trade-offs that @lubos made. For example you will not easily find another software with a magical **Undo** button like manager and that is because while relational databases keep logs, manager has document versioning which is way better. Anyway … I could be speaking nonsense for all I know. @lubos needs to confirm this.

> [@Davide](#):
>
> > [@Ealfardan](#):
> >
> > Restricting contacts to a single control account better complies with the no offsetting rules by IFRS and other local GAAPs and regulations.
> 
> But makes you breaking many other rules. For example that you should not net credit vs a client with debits vs a client but you should show both of them under assets and liabilities.

That’s exactly what I meant by “no offsetting rules”. So actually @Davide, you and I are in agreement. 😬

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