Re: primary key question

 I would only use 'real' primary keys, if I would be sure they would remain unique and primary for the lifetime of the application. I have seen keys where a primary key became non-unique, resulting in severe consequences for the database design.

Regards,

Sybrand Bakker, Oracle DBA

<kal121_at_my-deja.com> wrote in message news:8bgh8t$e91$1_at_nnrp1.deja.com...
> Is there any compelling reason(s) to use an artificially generated
> primary key, i.e. a sequence?
>
> I have a couple tables that have unique fields that would serve very
> well as primary keys, and would simplify some queries in the process.
>
> This may seem like a dumb question, but I'd like to know because all of
> the schemas I have ever seen *always* use sequences as a primary key.
> Also, using alternate keys as my primary key in only some tables would
> cause some tables to use sequences as primary keys, and some tables not.
> This causes me some vague discomfort for some reason. Maybe it is just
> aesthetics.
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
Received on Fri Mar 24 2000 - 00:00:00 CST