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 Primary Key DataType

Author  Topic 

sql_2k
Starting Member

26 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 05:16:42
Hi, Is there any datatype that cann't be used for Primary key column in a DB table.

SwePeso
Patron Saint of Lost Yaks

30421 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 05:20:48
TEXT, NTEXT and IMAGE.

Try for yourself.
DECLARE	@Sample TABLE
(
MyColumn TEXT PRIMARY KEY -- Change datatype and try!
)



E 12°55'05.25"
N 56°04'39.16"
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elancaster
A very urgent SQL Yakette

1208 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 05:33:55
of course there's a difference between what CAN'T be used and what SHOULDN'T be used

what did you have in mind?

Em
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sql_2k
Starting Member

26 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 05:54:08
I would appreciate if you also let me know what datatype shouldn't be used for primary -key column.


quote:
Originally posted by elancaster

of course there's a difference between what CAN'T be used and what SHOULDN'T be used

what did you have in mind?

Em

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elancaster
A very urgent SQL Yakette

1208 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 06:00:52
it really depends on your requirement as to what makes a good / bad primary key.

there's nothing really stopping you making a 'bit' column a primary key for example, but would you really want to? or varchar(8000) for example?

Em
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Jeff Moden
Aged Yak Warrior

652 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-05 : 23:00:02
VARCHAR(8000) would make a really bad primay key ... ;-)

--Jeff Moden
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sql_2k
Starting Member

26 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-06 : 03:24:13
This is true, It depends on requirement to decide a good primary key.

What I wanted to know -

In DB table we have a coulmn of varchar(10) type which should be unique. But for easy handling I have added another identity primary key column to the table.

So what I wanted to understand, as the varchar column uniquely identifies, so shall we go for making it as p-key or is it advisable to uphold another coulmn of int/identity type as primary key.



quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Moden

VARCHAR(8000) would make a really bad primay key ... ;-)

--Jeff Moden

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SwePeso
Patron Saint of Lost Yaks

30421 Posts

Posted - 2008-03-06 : 03:49:40
You can only have one primary key on a table.
But you can have several UNIQUE constraints or indexes on a table.



E 12°55'05.25"
N 56°04'39.16"
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