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Old September 29th, 2005, 09:19 AM
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Amy Blankenship wrote:
The simple fact is that whether or not a
primary key creates a clustered index DOES NOT MATTER on a practical level
to most developers, as other considerations take priority
http://www.dbpd.com/vault/9805xtra.htm.


Your link suggests you still haven't understood my point (my fault, I
fear). I am not saying, don't use an autonumber as a surrogate. I am
saying, don't squander you one clustered index on a single INTEGER
column that's (a) pretty much guaranteed to be unique and not null by
system (autonumber) anyhow and (b) easily constrained using explicit
NOT NULL UNIQUE to be doubly sure.

Question: do you use indexes specifically for performance purposes? (I
mean as distinct from, say, a unique index for data integrity reasons.)

If you don't, then I can see why my point keeps flying over your head.
Fair enough, you wouldn't be interested and I'll move on another day to
someone who is.

If you do use indexes specifically for performance purposes then it
makes no good sense to disregard clustered indexes. I am not able to
reconcile "I choose indexes to enhance performance" with "I choose to
ignore clustered indexes".

One thing I have learned after many, many years of giving advice on forums
is that it really doesn't matter much how accurate or inaccurate advice is,
as users will accept the advice that is most in line with what they believe
they can do and also most in line with what they *thought* the solution was
going to be.


I have to say, that one made me cringe. I'm reminded of this old
chestnut:

quote

The analog I used is that if this were a woodcraft group, they post

"What is the best kind of rocks to smash screws into fine furniture?"

You answer "Your whole approach is wrong. You need to learn about
screwdrivers and starting holes. Putting soap on a screw can keep the
bosard from splitting. Etc. "

They reply: "Screw you! I just want an answer. I want it NOW, NOW,
NOW! I don't care that this desk is going to fall apart if I build it
this way. And how dare anyone with a few more decades of experience
and education in this field try to tell me anything!"

Then someone tells them: "Granite. Big huge chunks of granite will
smash screws in real good!"

And finally the arrogant newbie replies; "See? They helped me!" And
they proceed under the idea that anyone can be a master craftsman, as
long as they have a pile of five pound granite rocks at hand.

/quote