How Do I Create and Use Sequences in Microsoft SQL Server?

Implementing Sequences in Microsoft SQL Server

Creating sequences in Microsoft SQL Server offers a convenient way to generate sequential values for various purposes, without the hassle of inserting temporary rows or relying on GUIDs.

Introducing Sequences in SQL Server 2012

Starting with SQL Server 2012, the SEQUENCE object was introduced, providing a dedicated mechanism for generating sequential numeric values that are not tied to any specific table.

Creating Sequences

To create a sequence, use the following syntax:

CREATE SEQUENCE Schema.SequenceName
AS int
INCREMENT BY 1 ;

The "Schema" part specifies the schema where the sequence should reside, "SequenceName" is the desired name for the sequence, "int" indicates that the sequence will generate integer values, and "INCREMENT BY 1" specifies the increment to be used for each generated value.

Using Sequences

To use a sequence, you can either query the NEXT VALUE FOR operator or use it as part of an INSERT statement:

Querying the Next Value:

DECLARE @NextID int ;
SET @NextID = NEXT VALUE FOR Schema.SequenceName;

Using in INSERT Statements:

INSERT Schema.Orders (OrderID, Name, Qty)
  VALUES (NEXT VALUE FOR Schema.SequenceName, 'Rim', 2) ;

By utilizing sequences in Microsoft SQL Server, you can streamline your application's data generation and maintain an ordered set of values for various purposes, eliminating the need for GUIDs or the overhead of inserting and querying temporary records.

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