This article introduces a systematic approach to database primary key design, starting from business requirements at the logical level before moving to physical implementation. It covers external IDs (unique identifiers like part numbers, SSNs, or ticket codes) and anchor IDs, explaining when and how they can be used as primary keys. A practical CMS example demonstrates anchor table design with integer primary keys.
Background
Database primary key design is a foundational topic in software engineering, with debates continuing between natural keys, surrogate keys, and UUID-based approaches. This article takes a requirements-first methodology distinct from conventional tutorials.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026 at 02:31 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10