Leveraging Constraint Evaluation Sequence in SQL Server

Constraints on a table in SQL Server are evaluated in a specific sequence. Knowing this sequence can help us leverage them to realize various business requirements.

Create Table

Rename Foreign Key Constraints

Rename Foreign Key Constraints in a consistent manner. Ideal for preventing constraint errors during code promotion.

UNIQUE constraint

Handling Constraint Violations and Errors in SQL Server

The database developer can, of course, throw all errors back to the application developer to deal with, but this is neither kind nor necessary. How errors are dealt with is dependent on the application, but the process itself isn't entirely obvious.

Constraints and the Test-Driven Database

Bad data always seems to appear when, and where, one least expects it. Sam explains the great value of a defensive approach based on constraints to any team that is developing an application in which the data has to be exactly right, and where bad data could cause consequential severe financial damage. It is perhaps better seen as creating a test-driven database.

Constraints

Primary Keys – why accept the defaults.

G’day,
When I design a table in SQL SERVER, I like to have a reasonable understanding of how the table will...

Columns Explorer - With constraints create / drop scripts (no cursors)

Gets all columns infos, foreign keys (multicolumn fk handled), referenced primary keys, default and check constraints, indexes, Create/Drop scripts for all constraints.

Tables