Possibly simple, possibly dumb question.

[Tredici]

I've developed a database for a small company but've now encountered a few problems. Initially, I was asked to create a table of customers and a table for business to business trade. However, I was then asked to merge the two tables together.

This led to a problem. The primary key was set to adhere with the already existing ID numbers of customers which were created by the company director years ago before the leap in to technology. For example, their first customer had an ID number of 1 outside of the database, and thus in the database the first customer would have an ID number of 1. This is simple, and could be achieved with an autonumber.

Outside of the database, ID numbers were created chronologically, so the first business to business trade did not have an ID number of 1, more something like 321. As I said a while back, the two tables had to be merged, and this left me with every customer in the first ~1000 and then all the B2B trade lumped on at the end. The question I'm thus asking is there anyway I can reorder the records selectively to retain their original ID number? It'd save the director a bunch of time.

Thanks in advance, David.

 

[statsman]

If there is no real reason to merge the two tables except that the director wants them merged, why do it?
You can retain the current numbering system and separate tables. Then join them in a query for display or report purposes.
Going by your description, any merging of the tables is going to require a re-design of the whole database.

 

[Tredici]

Yeah, you're right. Don't ask me. I'm pretty useless with databases and the boss knows that as well. However, he also knows I know enough to get the job done without getting ridiculously overcharged.

Basically, yeah, there is no need to merge the two tables. I've made the boss several forms to do the stuff he wants with the DB, but for some reason he wants the tables themselves to cohere with his visions. The tables have been merged, and yeah, there was a redesign needed, but now it's done. Just, I'm still left with the problem of having all the B2B trade lumped at the end of the table. The boss wants to reorder the records now to give each customer and business the same ID number as they have on paper.

So, yeah, I'm just asking if I can reorder records within the table. Maybe by deleting the primary key, reordering the records, then assigning a new primary key? There'll also be no adverse effects of deleting the primary key as the DB consists of only a single table and as such there are no relationships nor pre-existing inter-tabular queries.

 

[statsman]

Deleting the primary key, re-ordering and then reassigning the primary key is probably the best way to go.

By the way, there are no dumb questions. Only people who are afraid they'll look dumb by asking.