OK. So I'm no SQL server guru but I do consider myself to know *something* about it. Which is why it was really weird to read this post and realize that I have no idea what that guy was talking about. Domains? Not using a relation in favor of exporting domain views? using CHECK constraints instead of relations? I know CHECK constraints but funnily enough I was never in a position to actually use them for these kinds of things. Guess that comes with not knowing the territory..

 

How widespread are these methods? when should I use them? are there any specific guidelines that talk about this issue in particular somewhere where I can get more enlightenment?