CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sqlsql-server
bmurf17
bmurf17

Reputation: 125

Function in SQL that will give me a unique int?

I am trying to enter a row into one of my databases, but I want to make sure the primary key I give it is unique. My primary key is an int. I have tried using newid(), but that does not give me an int back. If there is a way I can get newid() to return just an int, or if another function that would give me an unique int I would use it.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 98

Answers (3)

Marc Guillot
Marc Guillot

Reputation: 6465

One object that gives unique ints are the sequences.

You first need to create a sequence : 

CREATE SEQUENCE MyNewID START WITH 1 INCREMENT BY 1;

And then you can retrieve your new ID calling NEXT VALUE every time :

SET @MyNewID = NEXT VALUE FOR MyNewID;

Upvotes: 1

BanksySan
BanksySan

Reputation: 28550

Be careful with a random primary key, especially if it's the clustered index too. It's likely to cause allot of filesystem IO. Use an auto incrementing identity instead.

Upvotes: 2

LegendofPedro
LegendofPedro

Reputation: 1414

You could alter the definition of your column to int IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY, then don't specify a value when inserting a row, and the ID will auto-increment.

See https://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql_autoincrement.asp for more info.

Upvotes: 3

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