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SQL CHECK constraints to validate table inserts

SQL CHECK constraints to validate table inserts

By  Rudy Limeback, SQL Consultant, r937.com

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I have this table:

MyTable
-------
type    varchar2(20)
subtype varchar2(40)

I have various validation rules to be applied while inserting the records in this table. For example, if the type is 'Tool' the subtype can only be 'Template' or 'Document.' If the type is 'Role' the subtype can only be 'Group' or 'Individual.' How can I achieve this?

The standard SQL approach here would be the good old CHECK constraint:

create table MyTable
( type    varchar2(20)
, subtype varchar2(40)
, constraint valid_types
    check ( 
      type in ('Tool','Role') 
          )
, constraint valid_subtypes
    check ( 
      case when type = 'Tool'
            and subtype in ('Template'
                           ,'Document')
           then 1
           when type = 'Role'
            and subtype in ('Group'
                           ,'Individual')
           then 1
           else 0 end = 1
          )
)

Disclaimer: VARCHAR2 suggests that you are using Oracle. The above CHECK constraints have not been tested in Oracle. We will surely hear immediately from one of our readers if in fact Oracle does not support these constraints.