James:

> Another thing: using integers as primary keys gives complex queries an
> inherent speed boost. This alone is enough argument to use surrogates.

What do you do if your user can add data offline? You may be restricted
to GUIDs or by having code to use dummy key values until the user goes
back online (in which case, you do need cascade updates to synchronize
your keys when the user goes back online).

Suurogate keys are not necessarily integers and I don't want anyone to give
that impression to a casual reader.

I do agree with you that, when feasible, using integers field for surrogate
keys is a Good Practice.

Daniel