RE: Numeric vs. alpha keys - reasons

["Tim Kredlo" <TKredlo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rob,

Thanks for the clarification. I am planning on defining multiple fields, as
opposed to a data structure.

Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rob@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 10:48 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: Numeric vs. alpha keys - reasons


Point of information:  By composite keys I meant composite fields.  It's 
perfectly alright to have more than one field make up a key.  I just don't 
like to have to use a DS to know the contents of a database field.

Rob Berendt
-- 
Group Dekko Services, LLC
Dept 01.073
PO Box 2000
Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com





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Re: Numeric vs. alpha keys - reasons






As far as incrementing, why not use the data type of Row ID, or Identity 
Column as documented here instead?
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/iseries/v5r2/ic2924/info/sqlp/rbafymst79.htm
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/iseries/v5r2/ic2924/info/sqlp/rbafymst80.htm

I'm not a big fan of composite keys.  Just makes querying that much more 
complicated.

As far as numeric and alphanumeric goes, I don't care.  But, if you plan 
on peddling that package, alphanumeric might be the way to go.  That way 
potential customers can convert their data, if their data is stored 
alphanumeric.  And if you are not planning on peddling it, you might 
acquire another company that uses alphanumeric.

Rob Berendt
-- 
Group Dekko Services, LLC
Dept 01.073
PO Box 2000
Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com





"Tim Kredlo" <TKredlo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
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08/16/2004 12:34 PM
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Numeric vs. alpha keys - reasons






List,

I am creating a new G/L account master file layout where the unique key 
will
be a composite field comprised of fields that contain only digits.

The other day a post to the list contained a blurb that indicated it was a
common feeling that numeric keys were undesirable. It said something like:
'I know, I know, numeric keys - bad stuff'. (My apologies to the poster 
for
poor paraphrasing.)

I can see plenty of reasons 'pro' numeric (easy incrementing, for one) but 

I
don't see what the downside reasons would be.

Could I get some feedback regarding the numeric vs. alphameric decision to
be made here.

Thanks in advance for any provided insights.

Tim Kredlo
Exterior Wood, Inc.




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