In the world of database design, there are two types of keys that are commonly used to uniquely identify data: surrogate keys and natural/business keys. Both serve the same purpose of ensuring data integrity, but they differ in their implementation and usage. In this article, we will compare these two types of keys and discuss their pros and cons.
First, let's define what surrogate and natural/business keys are. A surrogate key is a unique identifier that is generated by the database system, typically in the form of an integer or a string of characters. It has no inherent meaning and is solely used for identification purposes. On the other hand, a natural/business key is a unique identifier that is based on a data attribute that has some meaningful value, such as a customer's social security number or a product's serial number.
One of the main advantages of using surrogate keys is that they are completely independent of the data itself. This means that even if the data changes, the surrogate key will remain the same and can still be used to identify the data. This is especially useful in situations where the data attribute used for a natural/business key may not always be available or may change frequently. Surrogate keys also make it easier to join tables and perform data operations, as they are standardized and do not carry any additional information.
However, one downside to using surrogate keys is that they may be less intuitive for users. As they do not have any inherent meaning, it may be difficult for users to understand the relationships between data without additional context. This can lead to confusion and potentially incorrect data interpretation.
On the other hand, natural/business keys are more intuitive for users as they are based on meaningful data attributes. This makes it easier for users to understand the relationships between data and can aid in data interpretation. Additionally, natural/business keys can also serve as a form of validation, as they are typically unique and can prevent duplicate data from being entered into the database.
However, one major disadvantage of using natural/business keys is their potential for change. As these keys are based on data attributes, they may change over time, especially in the case of external factors such as a change in government policies or a company's rebranding. This can cause issues with data integrity and may require updates to be made to the database.
In terms of performance, surrogate keys are generally faster than natural/business keys. This is because they are smaller in size and do not require additional lookups to retrieve data. On the other hand, natural/business keys may require additional indexing and may slow down data operations.
In conclusion, both surrogate and natural/business keys have their own advantages and disadvantages. Surrogate keys offer a standardized and independent way of identifying data, while natural/business keys provide more context and are more intuitive for users. When choosing between the two, it is important to consider the specific needs and requirements of the database and the users who will be interacting with it. Ultimately, the best approach may be to use a combination of both types of keys, depending on the situation.
