>>I have a table where 3 character fields are combined to form the primary key. Because of the manner in which this table is now used (not as originally designed), a record can be deleted from the table by one user and later another user can add a record with the same key values. Auditing constraints require the deleted record (with datetime stamps) remain in the database; packing and recycling is not allowed.
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>>Of couse I understand using a surrogate key would be best, but I'm not a liberty to add fields to the table. I'm changing the index via a new "re-indexing" routine added to the executable (a one-time deliverable).
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>>In effect, I need as the index "cField1 + cField2 + cField3 + NOT DELETED()".
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>>or, if you prefer, "Field1_c + Field2_c + Field3_c + NOT DELETED()".
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>>Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
>Could you use this:
>INDEX ON Field1_c + Field2_c + Field3_c .... FOR NOT DELETED()

This sounds good, I'll give it a try. However, since this creates a "regular" index, (I was trying alter table add primary...), how do I ensure only one active record is allowed for the combination of field1 + field2 + field3. Note, any number of deleted records can exist, but only one can be "active". Also, this is a networked, multi-user application, if that helps.