DBMS: Surrogate Key (Definitions)

"A unique identifier for a row within a database table. A surrogate, or candidate, key can be made up of one or more columns. By definition, every table must have at least one surrogate key (in which case it becomes the primary key for a table automatically). However, it is possible for a table to have more than one surrogate key (in which case one of them must be designated as the primary key). Any surrogate key that is not the primary key is called the alternate key." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"A primary key that is typically invisible to the end user. Normally, surrogate keys are used where end users have their own pre-existing identification schemes (such as an ISBN in a database of books), so the users can modify their existing identifiers." (Bill Pribyl & Steven Feuerstein, "Learning Oracle PL/SQL", 2001)

"Integer keys that are sequentially assigned as needed in the staging area to populate a dimension table and join to the fact table. In the dimension table, the surrogate key is the primary key. In the fact table, the surrogate key is a foreign key to a specific dimension and may be part of the fact table’s primary key, although this is not required. A surrogate key usually cannot be interpreted by itself. That is, it is not a smart key in any way. Surrogate keys are required in many data warehouse situations to handle slowly changing dimensions, as well as missing or inapplicable data. Also known as artificial keys, integer keys, meaningless keys, non-natural keys, and synthetic keys." (Ralph Kimball & Margy Ross, "The Data Warehouse Toolkit" 2nd Ed., 2002)

"A surrogate key is a substitute key that is usually an arbitrary numeric value assigned by the load process or the database system. The advantage of the surrogate key is that it can be structured so that it is always unique throughout the span of integration for the data warehouse." (Claudia Imhoff et al, "Mastering Data Warehouse Design", 2003)

"A single-part, artificially established identifier for an entity. Surrogate key assignment is a special case of derived data - one where the primary key is derived. A common way of deriving surrogate key values is to assign integer values sequentially." (Sharon Allen & Evan Terry, "Beginning Relational Data Modeling" 2nd Ed., 2005)

[artificial key:] "A system-generated, nonsignificant, surrogate identifier or globally unique identifier (GUID) used to uniquely identify a row in a table. This is also known as a surrogate key." (Sharon Allen & Evan Terry, "Beginning Relational Data Modeling" 2nd Ed., 2005)

"A redundant, unique key generated for a record in a data warehouse table to allow integration of data from multiple source systems and to support changing data over time." (Reed Jacobsen & Stacia Misner, "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Step by Step", 2006)

"The primary key column of a dimension table. The surrogate key is unique to the data warehouse. Key values have no intrinsic meaning, and are assigned as part of the ETL process. By avoiding the use of a natural key, the data warehouse is able to handle changes to operational data in a different manner from transaction systems. The use of a surrogate key also eliminates the need to join fact and dimension tables via multi-part keys." (Christopher Adamson, "Mastering Data Warehouse Aggregates", 2006)

"Used as a replacement or substitute for a descriptive primary key, allowing for better control, better structure, less storage space, more efficient indexing, and absolute surety of uniqueness. Surrogate keys are usually integers, and usually automatically generated using auto counters or sequences." (Gavin Powell, "Beginning Database Design", 2006)

"An artificial key field, usually with system-assigned sequential numbers, used in the dimensional model to link a dimension table to the fact table. In a dimension table, the surrogate key is the primary key which becomes a foreign key in the fact table." (Paulraj Ponniah, "Data Warehousing Fundamentals for IT Professionals", 2010)

"A single-part, artificially established, physical identifier for a data set, usually not visible to business users, and used for database management and performance. Surrogate key assignment is a special case of derived data - one where the primary key is derived. A common way of deriving surrogate key values is to assign integer values sequentially. Sometimes referred to as a dummy key, sequential key, or auto-number field." (DAMA International, "The DAMA Dictionary of Data Management", 2011)

"A system-assigned primary key, generally numeric and auto-incremented." (Carlos Coronel et al, "Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management" 9th Ed., 2011)