How to set a default value for an existing column

🖊️ Title: How to Set a Default Value for an Existing Column in SQL Server 2008: A Quick and Easy Guide

👋 Introduction:

Hey there, SQL enthusiasts! 👋 Have you ever come across the error "Incorrect syntax near the keyword 'SET'" while trying to set a default value for an existing column in SQL Server 2008? 😫 Don't worry, you're not alone! In this blog post, we'll explore the common issues related to this problem and provide you with easy solutions to overcome it seamlessly. So, let's dive right in! 💻

🔎 Understanding the Problem:

So, you've tried using the following code snippet to set a default value for the "CityBorn" column in your "Employee" table:

ALTER TABLE Employee ALTER COLUMN CityBorn SET DEFAULT 'SANDNES'

But instead of achieving the desired result, you're met with the frustrating error message: "Incorrect syntax near the keyword 'SET'." 😖 Now, let's find out what went wrong!

🚧 The Issue Explained:

The reason behind this error is that the "SET DEFAULT" clause is not supported directly in SQL Server 2008 when modifying an existing column. 😣 It was only introduced in SQL Server 2012. Therefore, executing the above code will result in an incorrect syntax error.

💡 Easy Solutions:

1️⃣ Solution 1: Create a New Column and Copy Data 🔄

One way to tackle this problem is to create a new column in your table, set its default value, and then copy the data from the old column to the new one.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to achieve this:

Step 1: Create a new column in the table:

ALTER TABLE Employee ADD NewCityBorn VARCHAR(255) DEFAULT 'SANDNES'

Step 2: Copy data from the old column to the new one:

UPDATE Employee SET NewCityBorn = CityBorn

Step 3: Drop the old column:

ALTER TABLE Employee DROP COLUMN CityBorn

Step 4: Rename the new column to the original column name:

EXEC sp_rename 'Employee.NewCityBorn', 'CityBorn', 'COLUMN'

2️⃣ Solution 2: Use a Default Constraint 👍

The second solution involves using a default constraint, which is supported in SQL Server 2008. Here's how you can implement it:

Step 1: Add a default constraint to the column:

ALTER TABLE Employee ADD CONSTRAINT DF_CityBorn DEFAULT 'SANDNES' FOR CityBorn

Step 2: (Optional) If you want to drop the default constraint in the future, use the following code:

ALTER TABLE Employee DROP CONSTRAINT DF_CityBorn

✨ Conclusion: SQL Server 2008 may not support the straightforward "ALTER COLUMN...SET DEFAULT" syntax, but that shouldn't stop you from achieving your goal! By following the provided solutions, you can overcome this obstacle and successfully set a default value for an existing column in your SQL Server 2008 database. 💪

🔥 So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and let us know your success stories in the comments below! 🎉💬