The Identity and Serial Functions direct the DBMS to supply
a sequential value (integer) for a destination column. The syntax
for these functions is:
IDENTITY( )
SERIAL ( )
- Use the Identity Function for Identity columns in DB2®, Sybase ASE, and SQL Server
databases.
- Use the Serial Function for Serial columns in Informix® databases.
- Both functions are valid for Insert (update/insert)
and Load Processing, but are not valid for Convert Processing.
- If rows are updated in an Insert Process (update/insert),
the destination column targeted by the Identity Function or Serial
Function retains the original value. In addition, if the destination
column is part of the primary key, the column value remains unchanged
when the row is updated.
- You can use the Identity Function or Serial Function
with the Propagate Function for Insert Processing; however, you cannot
propagate Identity or Serial columns in a Load Process.