assigning default value to a column

Question

assigning default value to a column

Paarthasarathy

SSChasing Mays

Points: 649
More actions
July 8, 2010 at 10:31 am

#387305

Hi,
I have a doubt. I wanna know whether is it possible to assign a value of one column as a default value to another column using "Default" clause.
ex:
table named test_data
columns
A int
B int
c varchar(2)
I want to assign same value to both A and B. is it possible to accomplish that by using default clause.
Kindest Regards,
Paarthasarathy
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
http://paarthasarathyk.blogspot.com

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Lowell SSC Guru Points: 323504 More actions · Answer 1

Paarth no, you can't assign a column value as a default...it has to be a constant or results of a function.

i think you want to either use a calculated column(MyCol AS A), or a trigger if you really need to copy another columns value.

here's your table, where you can paste and see the error for yourself:

CREATE TABLE test_data(

A int,

B int ,

c int default A )

Msg 128, Level 15, State 1, Line 5
The name "A" is not permitted in this context. Valid expressions are constants, constant expressions, and (in some contexts) variables. Column names are not permitted.

Lowell

--help us help you! If you post a question, make sure you include a CREATE TABLE... statement and INSERT INTO... statement into that table to give the volunteers here representative data. with your description of the problem, we can provide a tested, verifiable solution to your question! asking the question the right way gets you a tested answer the fastest way possible!

Paarthasarathy SSChasing Mays Points: 649 More actions · Answer 2

I too got the same error. thats y i posted.. 🙂

I will tell me exact requirement.. I want the columns A and C contain the same value. i actually had one of my column "A" as identity. but i had to drop the identity as there are mismatch between the columns A and C.

A lot of stored procedures has already been written with these logic.. i.e insert statements contain only B and C (A will be defaulted).now i need to alter all these SP's to insert in the A column also.

i dont want to do this way.. i need to obtain the same criterion with minimal rework.. any ideas?

Kindest Regards,
Paarthasarathy
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
http://paarthasarathyk.blogspot.com