SQL Keyword - DEFAULT

DEFAULT Keyword

The DEFAULT keyword or constraint is used to give the default value in a column.

If the value is entered by the user, we sometimes do not enter the value at that moment if we want to add a default value in the column. So, in that case, Default Constraints are used.

SQL DEFAULT On Create Table

Syntax

CREATE TABLE <TABLE_NAME> (
    <COLUMN_NAME> DATATYPE DEFAULT <VALUE>
);

Example

CREATE TABLE Employee (
    Emp_Id Integer,
    Emp_Name Varchar(50),
    Emp_Dept Varchar(50),
    Emp_City Varchar(50) DEFAULT 'Bhavnagar'
);

SQL DEFAULT On Alter Table

Syntax

ALTER TABLE <TABLE_NAME>
ADD CONSTRAINT DEFAULT <VALUE> FOR <COLUMN>;

Example

ALTER TABLE Employee ADD CONSTRAINT
DEFAULT 'Bhavnagar' FOR Emp_Location;

Summary

Default constraint provides a default value for a column.

Next Recommended Reading SQL Keyword - ALL