Of course I believe what I say.

I didn’t want to get into a big debate because it never changes anyone’s mind, but I just thought this thread needed to have a counterpoint to what seemed to be a “use natural keys” lovefest so that new people are aware that is not a universal sentiment, and that the always use surrogate keys position is a valid approach.

To briefly state my position:

I always use surrogate primary keys for the simple reason that I have never had reason to regret that, but have regretted the use of natural keys (usually be other people) on many, many occasions when those natural keys turned out to be not so immutable or to even be unique.