Adrian Klaver <adrian.klaver@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes: > On 08/25/2015 01:56 PM, John R Pierce wrote: > >> On 8/25/2015 1:42 PM, Gavin Flower wrote: >>> Account numbers are externally generated, and may potentially change. >>> Management might suddenly decide that they want to start using the >>> year the account started as the first 4 digits, or that the branch >>> code should be reflected in it, or something else. The database >>> should be protected from these arbitrary changes. Hence the >>> account_no is not a good candidate for a primary key. >> >> >> such practices would raise total havoc on a traditional paper ledger >> accounting system as well as things like pending AR/AP where external >> companies will be referencing your account numbers. > > Agreed, but it happens. When Lowes took over a local hardware > chain(Eagles) here in Washington state they moved very quickly on > changing the account numbers. The company I worked for who supplied > Eagles and then Lowes sat on a check for $22,000 that was sent to us > in error because the account numbers got switched. We called them when > we got the check, but it still took them six months to own up to it. DOH! Next time a screwball outfit sends you a check for $22k erroneously just go deposit it :-) > -- > Adrian Klaver > adrian.klaver@xxxxxxxxxxx -- Jerry Sievers Postgres DBA/Development Consulting e: postgres.consulting@xxxxxxxxxxx p: 312.241.7800 -- Sent via pgsql-general mailing list (pgsql-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) To make changes to your subscription: http://www.postgresql.org/mailpref/pgsql-general
