Re: OID

     One of the books you recommend, Introduction and concepts,
specifically notes using OID as a unique for primary and foreign keys.
    Pg 80.

   If there is a danger, Id like to know what it is, since I am using
the OID as a unique in a join to generate a list of records for
individual processing.

   As long as you remember that you cannot set, or alter an OID
what's the diff?

   L>




At 8:21 AM -0800 4/5/02, Josh Berkus wrote:
>Harald, Chris,
>
>>  > 1. M$ SQL Server has an identity column which generates a
>>   sequential number
>>  > for you, we use this often for unique primary keys. Does postgres
>>   support
>>  > anything like  this ?
>>
>>  select *,oid from your_table
>
>NO!!!! This is wrong.  DO NOT USE the oid for anything other than
>  system purposes.  It is NOT a user-friendly value for several reasons.
>
>Chris, the data type you want is SERIAL.  Please read the section of
>  the docs on sequences:
>http://www.postgresql.org/idocs/index.php?sql-createsequence.html
>... as the SERIAL datatype simply automates the creation of a sequence.
>   BTW, postgres sequences are both more powerful and more user-friendly
>  than MS SQL Identity columns.
>
>I would also strongly suggest buying a beginner's postgresql book, such
>  as "PostgreSQL: Introduction and Concepts" or Wrox Press' PostgreSQL
>  book.
>
>-Josh Berkus
>
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