Database record access through use of a multi-value alternate primary key

A method comprising:

• performing by a host system processor:
• receiving a record retrieve request for a database, the record retrieve request comprising an alternate primary key value, which is based on a primary key value and a semi-unique key value, the database comprising a record structure comprising a first primary key field, a second primary key field, and a semi-unique key field, the first primary key field comprising a flag portion for which a first flag value is indicative of the first primary key field containing a primary key and a second flag value is indicative of the first primary key field containing an alternate primary key, the alternate primary key value having a portion thereof corresponding to the flag portion of the first primary key field set to the second flag value, the record for which the retrieve request is received comprising the primary key value in the second primary key field and the semi-unique key value in the semi-unique key field;
• communicating the alternate primary key value to the database;
• receiving from the database a plurality of records for which the respective flag portions of the first primary key field are set to the second flag value;
• performing for each of the plurality of records received from the database:
• generating a candidate primary key value, wherein generating the candidate primary key value comprises performing a logic operation on a semi-unique key field value and the alternate primary key value;
• comparing the candidate primary key value with a second primary key field value;
• and
• determining that one of the plurality of records corresponds to the record for which the retrieve request is received when the candidate primary key value matches the second primary key field value.

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor and comprising computer readable program code embodied in the memory that is executable by the processor to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a record insert request for a database, the record insert request comprising a primary key value, a semi-unique key value, and a secondary key value, the database comprising a record structure comprising a first primary key field, a second primary key field, and a semi-unique key field, the first primary key field comprising a flag portion for which a first flag value is indicative of the first primary key field containing a primary key and a second flag value is indicative of the first primary key field containing an alternate primary key;
• generating an alternate primary key value based on the primary key value, the semi-unique key value, and the secondary key value, the alternate primary key value having a portion thereof corresponding to the flag portion of the first primary key field set to the second flag value;
• generating a record comprising the alternate primary key value in the first primary key field, the primary key value in the second primary key field, and the semi-unique key value in the semi-unique key field;
• and
• communicating the record to the database.