I have a database of 150 tables from a lazyloading tool with is deleted columns in tables instead of Cascade on delete which is a DRI(declarative referential integrity).  Here in the US DRI (declarative referential integrity) is required by law in some businesses like life sciences, to use such tables is in minor violation of the law.  The size of the database is very relevant with DRI because Cascade on Update with 13 tables as Northwind is not the same as Cascade on Update with 89 tables as AdventureWorks.  The DDL(data definition language) in the first is a no brainer while the second is very hardwork.  And yes the DML(data manupulation language) is the same but performance problems will show up very quickly.  I was not saying anything bad about your product I was saying your product maintain the relational model.