Using a table's data type...

When I create a new table, I have also created a new data type (whose name
is the same as the name of the table).  For example:

CREATE TABLE customer(
  customer_id integer,
  customer_name varchar );

creates a new data type named 'customer'.  I can now create another table
that includes a column whose type is 'customer':

CREATE TABLE customer_archive(
  customer_info customer,
  mod_date timestamp );

Now, a couple of really basic questions.
1)  Is there a way to insert a row into this table?

2)  Since customer_archive.customer_info is defined to be a composite
column, how would I address each member?

3)  Is this just a really dumb idea on my part?  Maybe the fact that I can
use a table's type to define a column is just accidental and I really
shouldn't do that.

Any opinions, answers, or documentation references are appreciated.  Thanks.

    -- Murphy

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