An identity column is a database column configured to automatically generate numeric values, commonly used for surrogate identifiers. The exact syntax and behavior depend on the database system.
Identity columns simplify record creation by allowing the database to generate identifiers automatically.
SQL Server can use an IDENTITY column to generate EmployeeID values automatically.
CREATE TABLE Employees (
EmployeeID INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
EmployeeName VARCHAR(100)
);Identity columns are commonly used for employee IDs, customer IDs, order IDs, and transaction IDs.
- Identity columns can generate numeric values automatically.
- They are often used for primary keys.
- SQL Server commonly uses IDENTITY.
- The starting value and increment can be configured.
- Identity behavior differs across database systems.
What is an identity column?
An identity column automatically generates numeric values for inserted records.
Where is IDENTITY commonly used?
It is commonly used for automatically generated primary or surrogate key values.