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Keys

Keys are structures used to optimize data access and order data retrieval. A key is composed of one or more columns. The columns can be non-contiguous and in any sequence. Each column in a key can be either ascending or descending in value. Any key can be defined as unique, that is, requiring that each row in the table have a unique value for the key.

All tables must have a Master Key and a Native Key defined. The Master Key functions as any other key but it can be defined as updatable or non-updatable. The Native Key dictates the physical sequence in which the data is stored. The Native Key can be the same as the Master Key.