>< SNIP >
>
>>You can also change the key value before deleteing a record. FOr example a numeric key could be made negative when the record is deleted.
>>
>
>Changing the key works, but making it negative doesn't, for the simple reason that if you ever recycle a key twice, there will be two identical negative values...
>
>>The index could be made a composite key that includes the deleted status as part of the key.
>
>Same problem.

Ed,
I guess I didn't think those options all the way through. I've always used either the DELETED OFF option or surrogate primary keys.