I want to create a simple Messaging System on my LAMP site. Not an instant messaging System, but an asyncronous messaging system, like a very simple form of e-mail.
In the Database, should I:
A) create one table for the Inbox (receiver) and one table for Sent (sender), so that when a receiver deletes the message from their Inbox, the sender can still see it in their Sent folder,
or
B) create just one table, and then add a column for whether the Receiver/Sender has deleted it or not and then display it accordingly to each user based on that?
I would also like to keep track of whether the receiver has read it and whether they have replied to it or not.
Option B seems more efficient since you are not essentially duplicating a table, but I'm wondering if there are any potential issues with that method that I'm not thinking about.
So, which option do you recommend, A), B) or something else, and why?