Triggers for RI extension only

This must have been expounded at one time quite strongly. I remember a
coworker who went to the local user group meeting with me when IBM
announced constraints and triggers. The coworker, too, could only expound
examples of using triggers of extending RI. Yet, all the examples he gave
were stuff easily covered by Referential or Check constraints. I tried to
give him examples of sending a fax when certain items occurred (keep in
mind that these features have been around a LONG time, like, before most
employees, etc had email). He just didn't get it. He's went on to other
pursuits.

Now, I can think of certain business rules that are probably outside the
capability of check constraints or referential constraints, (not that I
can just spew one off the top of my head), or if you're stuck with a bad
database design that insists on multiple members which disallows
referential constraints. Here, a trigger can be used to extend integrity.
But I sure wouldn't limit them to integrity only.

Rob Berendt