Neven and I disagree on this.
I prefer to have integer Primary Keys.
The purpose of these is Referential Integrity, only.
The are never exposed and are never --can be never -- changed.
If I want an exposed AlphaNumeric, Unique Key, then I'll create a field
for that purpose.
Neven says that having two unique keys is fattening.
I say that changing primary keys is immoral.
YMMV
Regards
John
----- Original Message -----
From: Kerry Sainsbury <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Multiple recipients of list database <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, 4 November 1999 08:46
Subject: [DUG-DB]: Neven's Primary Keys
> [ moved to '[EMAIL PROTECTED] ]
>
> Neven said:
>
> > I prefer descriptive AlphaNumeric Primary Keys. As it make more sense
for
> a customer to be
> > 'MWK001' than 132.
>
> Where does 'MWK001' come from? Is it generated, or does somebody have to
> type it in?
>
> Does a user ever see this key? If so, how do you cope with changing the
> primary key (which has to happens sometimes, if the key also has
meaning --
> what if 'MWK001' company gets bought by IBM?)
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Zealand Delphi Users group - Database List - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website: http://www.delphi.org.nz
