Random Numbers

External Article

Evaluating the Randomness of SQL Server Random Number Functions

  • Article

Microsoft provides T-SQL developers with three functions (rand, newid, and crypt_gen_random) for generating random numbers. Each of these functions is effective at returning random values, but feature sets associated with each function make them best suited to different use cases. This tip’s Solution section presents an overview of common use cases for random numbers in SQL Server along with references to learn more about random numbers in SQL Server.

2025-05-12

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Question of the Day

The Max PK Length

If I create a multiple column Primary Key constraint, what is the most number of bytes I can include in the constraint?

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