if gmail would have a "like" button i would so like this post ... sums
it up really nicely :-)

cheers
lenz

On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 4:30 PM, Richard Clark <[email protected]> wrote:
> The answer to your question depends on what you actually want out of
> your database. If you're looking for a dumb storage for an object set,
> as most ORMs act, then having a single primary key for each table is
> vital because each row is a distinct object. There's no point fighting
> this, just add a serial/auto_inc column or whatever your ORM likes and
> go with the flow.
>
> If on the other hand, you'd like a relational database that can use
> its knowledge of the dataset and schema to optimise the insertion and
> retrieval of information in an intelligent fashion, then composite PKs
> are a very effective tool. They're not a tool you use everywhere, but
> where you want them, they do wonders and I'd certainly never give them
> up myself.
>
> I don't use ORMs at all. They're inefficient at best, and hideously
> inefficient at worst - even relatively smart ones like SQLAlchemy. The
> specific rule "Those who don't understand X are doomed to reinvent it
> poorly" has never been more relevant than when applied to SQL.
>
> Regards,
> Richard.
>
> On 15 March 2010 16:11, Aaron Cooper <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I've seen them alot, worked with them rarely. I was just hoping to open a
>> discussion with people working with experienced DBA's regarding today's
>> standing on the use of composite primary keys.
>>
>> I ask, as I have been given a schema to work with, and will be using a
>> framework for development. CakePHP doesn't support composites at all, and I
>> read alot of troubles in other frameworks to work around them. (to the point
>> of hand rolling queries)
>>
>> Call me lazy, but it just seems to me that in most cases, a singular PK can
>> be found for pretty much any table. But are they are must in certain
>> situations?
>> Regards
>> Aaron Cooper
>>
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