Re: [SQL] Bad Schema Design or Useful Trick?

Richard Broersma Jr wrote:
> Below I've included sample table definitions for a vertically
> partitioned disjunctive table hierarchy.  I wanted to point out the
> use of the composite primary key declaration that is applied to two
> columns that are clearly not a candidate key.  However, using the
> badly defined primary key allows for referential integrity to nicely
> handle the de-normalization between the main table and sub tables
> that is inherent with this type of data model.
>
> Would using a primary key in this manner be a decision that I will
> regret in the long run? If so, can any explain why?
>
> The parent table is parts with the child table pumps and hardware.
>
> CREATE TABLE Parts ( part_nbr varchar( 100 ) UNIQUE NOT NULL,
> part_type varchar( 20 )  NOT NULL,
...
> PRIMARY KEY    ( part_nbr, part_type ),
...

So - what you're saying is that because part_type depends on part_nbr it
shouldn't be part of the key, but because you want to search by
part-type in the referencing tables it makes life easier.

Will you regret this? Probably - I always seem to end regretting making
short-cuts, although in this case I can't see any direct harm that could
occur.

I'd probably make (part_nbr) the pkey and have a separate unique
constraint on (part_nbr,part_type) that I reference. That "feels" better
, although I'm not sure it actually gains you anything.

--
   Richard Huxton
   Archonet Ltd