Well on my database primary keys are usually not changed by an update. So your example would look like this: anonymous wrote : | pk key name | 1 1 johm (this is an insert) | 1 1 john (this is an update) | 2 2 Pat (this is an insert) | If you want a column that increments on updates look at the @version annotation or use a trigger. Regards Felix View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=4033851#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...