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Message-ID: <bf05e51c0607060902vdd8d993u470c128abf127d3d@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 11:02:37 -0500
From: "Aaron Bono" <postgresql@aranya.com>
To: "David Clarke" <pigwin32@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Alternative to serial primary key
Cc: pgsql-sql@postgresql.org
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On 7/6/06, David Clarke <pigwin32@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I posted a couple of weeks back a question regarding the use of a 100
> char column as a primary key and the responses uniformily advised the
> use of a serial column. My concern is that the key is effectively
> abstract and I want to use the column as a foreign key in other
> tables.


I have a simple question... why do you want to use the column as a foreign
key in other tables?  If you use the serial column then all you need is a
simple join to get the 100 char column out in your query.  If you need to
make things simpler, just create a view that does the join for you.

Either there is some requirement here that I am not aware of or it sounds
like you may be trying to use a sledge hammer on a nail.

-Aaron

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On 7/6/06, <b class="gmail_sendername">David Clarke</b> &lt;<a href="mailto:pigwin32@gmail.com">pigwin32@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<div><span class="gmail_quote"></span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
I posted a couple of weeks back a question regarding the use of a 100<br>char column as a primary key and the responses uniformily advised the<br>use of a serial column. My concern is that the key is effectively<br>abstract and I want to use the column as a foreign key in other
<br>tables. </blockquote><div><br>I have a simple question... why do you want to use the column as a foreign key in other tables?&nbsp; If you use the serial column then all you need is a simple join to get the 100 char column out in your query.&nbsp; If you need to make things simpler, just create a view that does the join for you.
<br><br>Either there is some requirement here that I am not aware of or it sounds like you may be trying to use a sledge hammer on a nail.<br><br>-Aaron<br></div><br></div>

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