What Is the Primary Key in a Database? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Apps 231 231 people found this article helpful

What Is a Primary Key?

What makes a good or bad primary key in a database?

By Mike Chapple Mike Chapple Writer University of Idaho Auburn University Notre Dame Former Lifewire writer Mike Chapple is an IT professional with more than 10 years' experience cybersecurity and extensive knowledge of SQL and database management. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 21, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services What is a primary key? In the world of databases, the primary key of a relational table uniquely identifies each record in the table. Databases use keys to compare, sort, and store records, and to create relationships between records. Choosing the primary key in a database is one of the most important steps in the process. It can be a normal attribute that is guaranteed to be unique such as Social Security number on a table with no more than one record per person or — preferably — it can be generated by the database management system such as a globally unique identifier, or GUID, in Microsoft SQL Server. Primary keys may consist of a single attribute or multiple attributes in combination. Primary keys are the unique links to related information in other tables where the primary key is used. It must be entered when a record is created, and it should never be changed. Each table in the database has a column or two specifically for the primary key.

Primary Key Example

Imagine you have a STUDENTS table that contains a record for each student at a university. The student's unique student ID number is a good choice for a primary key in the STUDENTS table. The student's first and last name are not good choices because there is always the chance that more than one student might have the same name. Other poor choices for primary keys include ZIP code, email address, and employer, all of which can change or represent many people. The identifier used as a primary key must be unique. Even Social Security Numbers can change when the Social Security Administration reassigns a number to someone who has been affected by identity theft. Some people don't even have a Social Security Number. However, because both of those cases are rare. Social Security Numbers can be a good choice for a primary key.

Tips for Choosing Good Primary Keys

Glowimages / Getty Images When you choose the right primary key, database lookups are speedy and reliable. Just remember: Keep it short. Because the primary key is used for lookups and comparisons, a short primary key means the database management system can process it more quickly than a long primary key.Use a number for the primary key whenever possible. SQL Server or other database management systems process number data types faster than character data types.Keep it simple. Don't use any special characters, embedded spaces, or a mix of upper and lower capitalization.Never change the primary key after you assign it. FAQ What is a primary key in a table? It's the same as in a database. Databases can be expressed as complicated, data-rich tables, and whether you have a simple table or a full-fledged database, the primary key functions the same. Why are primary keys important? Primary keys are essential in relational databases because these keys are used to compare and otherwise define relationships between individual records. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Choosing a Primary Key for a Database A Guide to Understanding Database Dependencies An Introduction to Databases for Beginners The Basics of Database Normalization Full Functional Dependency in Database Normalization What Is a Database? Basic Keys That Make Database Management Easy Glossary of Common Database Terms What Is a Database Schema? Spreadsheets vs. Databases Introduction to Database Relationships What Is the Definition of a Database Query? What Is a Cryptographic Hash Function? Definition of Database Relation DMC File (What It Is and How to Open One) What Is a Database Relationship? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies