Re: Newbie question about db normalization theory: redundant keys OK?

"Bob Badour" <bbadour_at_pei.sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:47669663$0$5290$9a566e8b_at_news.aliant.net...
> David Cressey wrote:
> > "Dr. Dweeb" <spam_at_dweeb.net> wrote in message
> > news:476593b3$0$21933$157c6196_at_dreader1.cybercity.dk...
> >
> >>>Would you a) tell the university that the data cannot be modelled and
> >>>you can't hold it in a database or b) use an artificial key?
> >>
> >>This makes my student number 7613861 artifical?
> >>This makes my employee number 644923 artificial?
> >>
> >>One is used by my university, the other by my employer. They may be
> >>arbitrarily assigned, but they are unique and indicate me alone.
> >
> > Artificial in the sense of man made, yes. The assignment of those
numbers
> > to you
> > was purely an arbitrary act, and not based on any naturally observable
> > charactersitics you have.
>
> As was your name when (presumably) your parents assigned it to you.
>

Yes. Received on Mon Dec 17 2007 - 16:57:39 CET