Default Object (SQL-DMO)

The Default object represents the attributes of a single Microsoft® SQL Server™ default. SQL Server defaults provide data to columns and user-defined data types when no other data is available on an INSERT statement execution.

Remarks

SQL Server defaults allow a nonredundant method of default-value specification. SQL Server columns can contain a DEFAULT constraint, but each column receiving a specific default value must be constrained to receive it. Alternately, a single default can be created and then bound to columns or user-defined data types, allowing the developer to specify the default value one time.

With the Default object, you can:

• Create a SQL Server default.
• Bind or unbind an existing SQL Server default to a column or user-defined data type.
• Remove a SQL Server default from a database.

The Name property of a Default object uses the SQL Server data type sysname. The value of the Name property must be unique within a SQL Server database when constrained by the value of the Owner property.

To create a SQL Server default

1. Create a Default object.
2. Set the Name property.
3. Set the Text property to establish the default value generated for an INSERT statement. The value of the Text property must match the constraints of the constant_expression parameter of the CREATE DEFAULT statement. For more information about how to set the Text property, see CREATE DEFAULT.
4. Add the Default object to the Defaults collection of a connected Database object.

After the SQL Server default has been created, use the BindToColumn and BindToDatatype methods of the Default object to bind the SQL Server default to SQL Server columns and user-defined data types.

Methods

Properties