SQL Server 2012: Sequence Objects

In an older article on my blog, I wrote on how someone can mimic the operation of Sequence Objects using other alternative ways.

With the general availability of SQL Server 2012, now Sequence Objects are here!

So, how can we use a Sequence Object in SQL Server 2012?

Let's skip the words and move directly to an example:


--Select the proper database
USE [DATABASE_NAME]
GO


-- Create the Sequence Object (TestSeq is my Sequence's name)
CREATE SEQUENCE TestSeq
    AS bigint
START WITH 0
    INCREMENT BY 1
GO


--To get the next value from the Sequence
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR TestSeq


--To drop the sequence
DROP SEQUENCE TestSeq
GO


--To reset the sequence 
--You can replace 0 with any other constant value
ALTER SEQUENCE TestSeq
RESTART WITH 0
GO

Simple enough right?

Enjoy Sequence objects in SQL Server 2012! :)

Cheers,

Artemakis