[ajug-members] OFFTOPIC: Referential Integrity via Foreign Keys

[Scott Smith]

Sorry for the DB question here, but I respect the opinions of the people
here -

I want to get opinions regarding the lack of referential integrity being
enforced at the DB level.  I think (in 99% of the cases) foreign keys
should be defined to allow the DB server to enforce RI.  Except for
cases where large DBs and huge volume is pushing the DB speed limits. 
In that case, I can see doing away with FKs for efficiency.  The project
I just came into does all RI at the Data Access Layer.  And I think
that's risky for many reasons I would get into here.

I don't need a lot of detail in your response.  Just let me know if you
agree that RI enforced at the DB server level is the norm and that not
using FKs is unconventional.

Thanks,

Scott