>... and that's why I always stated that natural key values should be _almost_
>static. What is acceptable as the _almost_ level is a function of the
>database/system.

I replied somewhere else (I think in this thread) to Walter Meester concerning your example of when to use intelligent keys (DOT codes?). I looked at that, and agree with you that that is a good case for using intelligent keys.

However, I still am not seeing the benefits where the keys are almost static. Although Walter and Jim Nelson disagree, I do like the consistency you get with surrogate keys both so far as the DBMS goes, and for my VFP framework.

But your case has helped point out situations where static intelligent keys make sense.