Why do we need Audit Columns in Database Tables?

Posted by Software Enthusiastic on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by Software Enthusiastic
Published on 2010-05-04T04:59:31Z Indexed on 2010/05/04 5:08 UTC
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database

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database-design

Hi

I have seen many database designs having following audit columns on all the tables...

Created By
Create DateTime
Updated By
Upldated DateTime

From one perspective I see tables from the following view...

Entity Tables:
- Good candidate for Audit columns)
Reference Tables:
- Audit columns may or may not required. In some case last update information is not at all required because record is never going to be modified.)
Reference Data Tables
- Like Country Names, Entity State etc... Audit columns may not required because these information is created only during system installation time, and never going to be changed.

I have seen many designers blindly put all audit columns to all tables, is this practice good, if yes what could be the reason...

I just want to know because to me it seems illogical. It is difficult for me to figure out why do they design their db this way? I am not saying they are wrong or right, just want to know the WHY?

You can also suggest me, if there is an alternative auditing patter or solution available...

Thanks and Regards

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