Naming of ID columns in database tables

Question

I was wondering peoples opinions on the naming of ID columns in database tables.

If I have a table called Invoices with a primary key of an identity column I would c

Answer 1

FWIW, our new standard (which changes, uh, I mean "evolves", with every new project) is:

• Lower case database field names
• Uppercase table names
• Use underscores to separate words in the field name - convert these to Pascal case in code.
• pk_ prefix means primary key
• _id suffix means an integer, auto-increment ID
• fk_ prefix means foreign key (no suffix necessary)
• _VW suffix for views
• is_ prefix for booleans

So, a table named NAMES might have the fields pk_name_id, first_name, last_name, is_alive, and fk_company and a view called LIVING_CUSTOMERS_VW, defined like:

SELECT first_name, last_name
FROM CONTACT.NAMES
WHERE (is_alive = 'True')

As others have said, though, just about any scheme will work as long as it is consistent and doesn't unnecessarily obfuscate your meanings.