Re: Sequence Numbers as Primary Keys

I come from the logical side of the tracks, so my slant on this will be in theory.

I am under the impression that for an application with many updates, a surrogate key (system generated ) is preferred over a natural key. It is faster to update a one column key than a composite key. Furthermore, a surrogate key will never be updated where a natural (intelligent) key could be.

If the application is one of query only, then the natural key would be preferred over a surrogate key. The natural key may reduce the number of joins to satisfy a query (i.e. the data needed could be in the key) in the case of cascading keys.

Again this is my logical side of the fence .02 worth.

Regards

Mark

|Mark A. Kramm                                                  Palindrome Solutions Inc.   |


| - Oracle*CASE Designer 2K Specialist   (800) 483-8771                          |


| - Data Architect/Facilitator                           kramm_at_pcnet.com               |


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