Michael: I see three basic problems with this assuming that other tables need to be linked to this table: 1. Size - Since the entire table needs to be replicated in each table that it is linked to, this is highly inefficient 2. Seek Performance - Searching and comparing long text fields can become prohibitive depending on the size of the tables 3. Update time - if the table is updated frequently, then each of the linked tables need to be updated as well as do their indices
If this table is not linked to anything or is rarely changed and if disk space and performance are not issues, then a re-writing is not worth it. But if the table has too be modified, it is probably worth adding a primary key and rolling to each linked table as either performance becomes an issue or other maintenance is performed. Andy -----Original Message----- From: Dawson, Michael [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 8:01 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: Primary Key Justification I'm well aware of the need for a primary key, in addition to a sound table design, however, I'd like someone else to "word" a response for me. A co-worker built a data file (a data table on an AS400) with six fields. The only unique "key" of the record is the entire record, itself. The combination of all six fields must be used to identify the exact record. "This is how it's done," is the reply I get. (I've been building web-based apps using relational DBs for 8 years. I have never used an entire record as the primary key.) I'm not passing an entire record through a URL or in hidden form fields. Imagine the nightmare of maintaining this application... A discussion of the existence of Oracle's sequences and SQL's identity fields did little to sway this person's opinion. This person's entire development background is AS400 with a history of bad database design. Now, I'm creating the table myself to do it right. ;-) Any thoughts? Thanks M!ke ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Special thanks to the CF Community Suite Gold Sponsor - CFHosting.net http://www.cfhosting.net Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:4:183734 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/4 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:4 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.4 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
