"polymorphism" for FOREIGN KEY constraints
Here is the pattern I've been using.
CREATE TABLE room (
room_id serial primary key,
room_type VARCHAR not null,
CHECK CONSTRAINT room_type in ("standard_room","family_room"),
UNIQUE (room_id, room_type)
);
CREATE_TABLE standard_room (
room_id integer primary key,
room_type VARCHAR not null default "standard_room",
FOREIGN KEY (room_id, room_type) REFERENCES room (room_id, room_type),
CHECK CONSTRAINT room_type = "standard_room"
);
CREATE_TABLE family_room (
room_id integer primary key,
room_type VARCHAR not null default "family_room",
FOREIGN KEY (room_id, room_type) REFERENCES room (room_id, room_type),
CHECK CONSTRAINT room_type = "family_room"
);
That is, the 'subclasses' point at the super-class, by way of a type descriminator column (such that the pointed to base class is of the correct type, and that primary key of the super class is the same as the child classes.