[development] CCK lookup and drop-down list

I am comfortable with PHP and MySQL, but I'm new to Drupal, though I've just finished all chapters from Pro Drupal Development (VandDyk and Westgate). I need to create a form which populates a drop-down list from a column in a table, like Apples, Bananas, Pears. Should I create a .module, or am I overlooking a CCK extension module and/or Views approach? Thanks!