What to do when I want to use database constraints but only mark as deleted instead of deleting?

Question

I am working in a project where database items are not deleted, but only marked as deleted. Something like this:

id   name     deleted
---  -------  --------         


        

Answer 1

Create a unique constraint on (name, deleted). This will mean you can only have one deleted per name, however.

The obvious work-around for that works under ANSI-92 but not on MS SQLServer: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=299229