SQL Server - Identity

Question

SQL Server - Identity

katty.jonh

Grasshopper

Points: 11
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July 26, 2012 at 6:16 am

#278550

Hi There,
Can anyone tell me what is an Identity?
Thanks

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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corbincreativecomputing Grasshopper Points: 17 More actions · Answer 1

Identity (or AutoNumber) is a column that automatically generates numeric values. A start and increment value can be set, but most DBAs leave these at 1. A GUID column also generates unique keys.

Nimol

Programmer

Corbin Creative Databases, LLC, http://www.corbincreative.com

Kingston Dhasian SSCoach Points: 19799 More actions · Answer 2

Welcome to SSC!!

You can try to Google "IDENTITY SQL Server"

I am sure you will get lots of information which can't be provided in a single forum

If you still have any doubts after reading the articles, feel free to revert with questions.

Kingston Dhasian

How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help - Jeff Moden
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

Lokesh Vij SSChampion Points: 10836 More actions · Answer 3

corbincreativecomputing (7/26/2012)

Identity (or AutoNumber) is a column that automatically generates numeric values. A start and increment value can be set, but most DBAs leave these at 1. A GUID column also generates unique keys.

Nimol

Programmer

Corbin Creative Databases, LLC, http://www.corbincreative.com[/quote%5D

Just to add to, Identity can have negative values as well.

~ Lokesh Vij

Guidelines for quicker answers on T-SQL question[/url]
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manub22 Hall of Fame Points: 3163 More actions · Answer 4

IDENTITY is a property which gives auto-incremental value to a column whenever a new record is inserted. You have to set the IDENTITY property with a column while creating a table.

Check following blog post to know about all IDENTITY columns: http://sqlwithmanoj.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/all-about-identity-columns/[/url]

You can also use IDENTITY() function with "SELECT INTO" statement.

Check following blog post for more info: http://sqlwithmanoj.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/using-identity-function-with-select-statement/[/url]

More link: http://sqlwithmanoj.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/reseed-tables-identity-column-value/[/url]

~manoj | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
Blog: SQLwithManoj.com

jitendra.padhiyar SSCertifiable Points: 5824 More actions · Answer 5

http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/t-sql-programming/identity-columns/

Boltz442 Old Hand Points: 392 More actions · Answer 6

You can try to Google "IDENTITY SQL Server"
I am sure you will get lots of information which can't be provided in a single forum
If you still have any doubts after reading the articles, feel free to revert with questions.

You'll probably get an answer faster that way as well

I used to call my self The Master on forums, then I entered the IT industry and realised how much I still have to learn.