Primary keys: can they be alphanumerical?
От | Stuart Rison |
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Тема | Primary keys: can they be alphanumerical? |
Дата | |
Msg-id | l03110707b1c67506245f@[128.40.242.190] обсуждение исходный текст |
Ответы |
Re: [SQL] Primary keys: can they be alphanumerical?
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Список | pgsql-sql |
Dear All, I'm using postgreSQL to create a database of breast cancer patient data. I am currently designing my tables. I would like to know what is the general concensus on having alphanumerical primary keys. The reason for this is that, with a 15 character long alphanumerical key, I could include hidden information in the key which could help users to quickly get information without even having to search the database. For example, the first to characters could be a two-letter code for the refering hospital, the next four a numerical patient number and subsequent characters refer to treating clinicians etc. Is this a major 'faux-pas'? Am I introducing unwanted redundancy in the key? Will it make indexing a lot slower? Should primary keys be purely numerical? I would be grateful for any comments/suggestions. Best regards, Stuart. PS. could you cc me a copy of your posting(s). +-------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Stuart Rison | Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research | | Tel. (0171) 878 4041 | Courtauld Building | | Fax. (0171) 878 4040 | 91 Riding House Street | +-------------------------+ London, W1P 8BT | | stuart@ludwig.ucl.ac.uk | UNITED KINGDOM. | +-------------------------+--------------------------------------+
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