About this question
Can a database table not have a primary key? SQLite lets you define a table with no primary key therefore there can be no insertion anomaly.
Can a database table not have a primary key? SQLite lets you define a table with no primary key therefore there can be no insertion anomaly.
Log in to share your answer and help other learners.
Log in to answerBest Answer · By JanBask MS SQL Server Expert
Answered on Jan 31, 2023
The answer to - why tables cannot have on a primary key is - They can in SQLite. And, I believe that holds true for almost every (if not every) major DBMS platform. Should you create a database table without a primary key? No. Every table should have some column (or set of columns) that uniquely identifies one and only one row. It makes it much easier to maintain the data.
It's true, without a primary key (or some unique key), you don't have an insertion anomaly if you go to insert the same data multiple times. What you do have is a user table with 300 separate entries for a user named "bob", many of which have different values in the other columns. And, if you've tried to connect rows in some other table to a user without a primary key/foreign key relationship - every row in the message marked as sent_by "bob" ties back to every one of those 300 user entries. Oh, and there are 39 unique passwords for "bob" (157 of the rows all show the password "password", of course).
Without primary keys, things can get really messy, really fast.
Free tutorials and interview questions from industry experts — learn the skill, then get ready to prove it.
Step-by-step SQL Server guides from industry experts
Common SQL Server interview questions, answered
Guides, tips and career advice on SQL Server from JanBask experts.
SQL Server Top 75 SSAS Interview Questions and Answers For Beginners & Experts
Prepare for your SSAS interview with our comprehensive guide featuring 75 top SQL Server Analysis Services interview questions…
SQL Server How to Become a SQL Database Administrator?
How to become a sql database administrator In 2025, discover what these professionals do, explore how much they earn and learn…
SQL Server OLAP vs OLTP: Key Differences, Architectures, Performance & Real-World Examples
Compare OLTP vs OLAP with clear definitions, architecture diagrams, real-world examples, and FAQs. Learn when to use each system…
SQL Server 70+ Most Asked SSIS Interview Questions for Freshers & Experienced
Prepare for your next SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) interview with our top 70+ SSIS interview questions and answers.…