Use of surrogate keys in the database

Although there are some situations where surrogate keys provide flexibility and some additional abstraction (we use it ourselves in very specific situations), we believe the use of surrogate keys usually suggest a lack of enough data analysis and correct implementation of proper normalization principles.

We acknowledge that most SQL developers believe in using surrogate keys, although the approach flies in the face of Codd’s database normalization rules, and in our opinion highlight limited analysis of the true requirement and provide a way to “get away” with limited upfront analysis.