I'm writing an application where the primary key for a table is a natural key and comes in as part of a data payload after making a call to a remote system. I can be certain that this value is unique. So I've modeled it in the database and have it in the data model. Of course this means that in the java object this field is absent.
I'm going to want to do selects on it, and comparisons to other fields. So I really need it to be part of the model. So is it best to just add it into the java object. So that it's part of the mapping or is there another technique that is a better choice. Just as an aside, let's not devolve into a discussion of should the key be visible. I understand the pluses and minuses of that decision and for this case, its really the right thing to do. Tony Giaccone
