Typical table in our system lokks like:
create table ab (
ab1     NUMBER(10) NOT NULL  --row_id
ab2     DATE    NOT NULL        --row_dt
ab3     NUMBER(1) NOT NULL      --inac_ind
ab4     NUMBER(10)      NOT NULL -- subject_id 
ab5     NUMBER(10)      NOT NULL -- type of information - from key table
ab6     date                    -- valid from
ab7     date                    -- valid to
ab8     VARCHAR2(256)   -- value
....
) blah blah ... ;
create unique index ab_1 on ab( ab1) ... ;

Row_id is unique number of touple but only in this table
row_dt is a "timestamp" of rowchange
and inac_ind is status of the touple (valid/invalid etc.)

So, there is no column to use for primary key.
I have to store not only 1 value but the whole history line of values of type 
ab5 for subject with id ab4.

JP

On Mon 18. February 2002 20:18, you wrote:
> Can you explain that a bit? Why would a primary key be a problem and unique
> would not. Essentially, primary key constraint is "NOT NULL" constraint +
> a unique index. The difference between the two is that primary key is a
> declared
> property of the table and, as such. can be used for logical modelling.
> Unique index,
> on the other hand is only used for access to the tables and it usually
> allows
> the NULL values. If your hardware is fast enough for the unique index, it's
> fast enough for the primary key.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 12:38 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
>
>
> I don't use primary keys on tables.
> I'm using only unique index.
>
> Primary keys are problem on slow HW.
>
> JP
>
> On Mon 18. February 2002 16:38, you wrote:
> > What good is a table without a primary key? I know that some duhsigners
> > sometimes create them, but the DBA should attempt to block shuch a
>
> duhsign.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 9:43 AM
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> > Do they have primary keys? I seem to remeber that Access needed the
> > Oracle table to have a primary key on it.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Sent: Friday, February 15, 2002 4:43 PM
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> > No clue.  User installed.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Sent: Friday, February 15, 2002 4:14 PM
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> > What ODBC Driver are you using?  I've seen this with certain builds of
> > Microsoft's driver, really quirky on W98.
> >
> >
> > David A. Barbour
> > Oracle DBA, OCP
> > AISD
> > 512-414-1002
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >                     "Bellows,
> >
> >                     Bambi"               To:     Multiple recipients of
> > list ORACLE-L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >                     <BBellows@usg.       cc:
> >
> >                     com>                 Subject:     Weird ODBC Issue
> >
> >                     Sent by:
> >
> >                     [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> >                     om
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >                     02/15/2002
> >
> >                     11:34 AM
> >
> >                     Please respond
> >
> >                     to ORACLE-L
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a user who wants to see Oracle
> > tables in Access.  Whatever.  So, the user can go into our pal
> > SCOTT/TIGER no problem and look at tables from user_tables (not
> > all_tables, which I find weird, but, what the hay).  But, if the user
> > tries to go into APPS/APPS,
>
> he
>
> > can only see one table, and that one is owned by ADS.
> >
> > Anyone have similar problems?  Any clue as to a resolution?  Let me
>
> know...
>
> > Yer pal,
> > Bambi.
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Author: Jan Pruner
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