Friday, March 9, 2012

PK vs Unique Clustered Index

When not using any enforced relationships in a database (which I know we should, but I like most of you, have inherited sub-optimal design), is there any real difference between using a Primary Key (to which no foreign keys are tied) and using a Unique Clustered index?

Thanks for your thoughts

Other that the NULL value issue, both will maintain uniqueness if that is your purpose.

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Yeah, the "UNIQUE" will assure uniqueness. I know that created a PK on a table creates a UNIQUE CLUSTERED index on whatever field(s) are included in the key.

My question is, is there a real difference between creating a PK on a table, and creating the equivalent UNIQUE CLUSTERED INDEX on the same table instead of a PK? If the PK is not referenced in any FK, then in my thinking, there is no difference.

Thoughts...anyone?

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