>Plus you have to generate a meaningless number, which is actually a choke point in your data throughput. No it isn't. Working with natural keys in general inv

>Plus you have to generate a meaningless number, which is actually a choke point in your data throughput. No it isn't. Working with natural keys in general involves using compound primary keys since it is unlikely that any lone field is suitable as primary key. Comparing an integer is quick. Comparing three string fields in a join is not.