Text vs Numeric Key - Best?

[Ed Bitzer]

Is there some value in increased performance using a numeric key vs. a
text key?

I have an Employee ID key in a database that contained four digits and
was defined as Numeric (Integer). We are about to add a new companies
employees to the database and their key is alphanumeric (a letter
followed by two digits). There will be an approximate total of 500
employees in the combined tables. I know there will be a hassle trying
to convince the new personal group to change this alphanumeric key to
numeric just for me<g> so need a valid reason.

Ed

 

[John Vinson]

Is there some value in increased performance using a numeric key vs. a
text key?

I have an Employee ID key in a database that contained four digits and
was defined as Numeric (Integer). We are about to add a new companies
employees to the database and their key is alphanumeric (a letter
followed by two digits). There will be an approximate total of 500
employees in the combined tables. I know there will be a hassle trying
to convince the new personal group to change this alphanumeric key to
numeric just for me<g> so need a valid reason.

IME the size of the field has a minor impact on speed; I don't think
the datatype has any at all. You'll be going from a 2-byte Short
Integer (or perhaps a 4-byte Long Integer) to a 4-byte Text. With a
unique index either one should be cat-quick.

 

[Ed Bitzer]

Thanks John,

I am retired and although I done extensive programming with VBA, I am
not well grounded in fundamentals. You guys are my salvation and I
appreciate.

Ed