Re: Surrogate VS natural keys

Richard Broersma Jr wrote:
> --- "Joshua D. Drake" <jd(at)commandprompt(dot)com> wrote:
>> The value of a surrogate key is easy retrieval and really has nothing to
>> do with normalization or proper modeling.
>>
>> I often add a surrogate key, even when one is not required just so I
>> don't have to worry about have a 4 element where clause.
>
>
> I've often wondered about this. Since PostgreSQL allows FOREIGN KEYS to be referenced from UNIQUE
> (non-primary) natural keys, couldn't the schema be designed so that every table has a surrogate
> PRIMARY KEY and yet still maintain the relationships using UNIQUE natural keys.
>
> Would a design like this be practical?

I would do it the other way. Have your primary keys be natural.

Joshua D. Drake

>
> Regards,
> Richard Broersma Jr.
>
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