IDENT_CURRENT function vs @@IDENTITY in SQL Server

IDENT_CURRENT function returns the last identity value generated for a specified table or view. The last identity value generated can be for any session and any scope.

Let’s take an example for learning purpose

create table EmpTemp

(id int identity(1,1),

empName varchar(10))

Command(s) completed successfully.

Here ID is an identity column which will gets increment by one with every insert since the seed for the increment is set to 1.

Let’s insert few rows to EmpTemp table. Values for ID column is not required since it is an identity column, so automatically on insertion of any row to the table set the value of ID in corresponding row.

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Aakhya')

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Kruthika')

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Aanandita')

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Chandanika')

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Ceitra')

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Arasi')

Accede to see the output of Select query

select * from EmpTemp

id          empName

----------- ----------

1           Aakhya

2           Kruthika

3           Aanandita

4           Chandanika

5           Ceitra

6           Arasi

(6 row(s) affected)

Now run the below query to see the result of IDENT_CURRENT. The IDENT_CURRENT function takes only Table or View name as parameter.

select IDENT_CURRENT('EmpTemp')

---------------------------------------

6

(1 row(s) affected

Now insert one more row and then check this:

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Siddhiksha')

(1 row(s) affected)

select IDENT_CURRENT('EmpTemp')

--------------------------------------

7

(1 row(s) affected)

What does the function do ?

CONCLUSION: This always gives you the current id value from the table.

PART 2: Interesting to see!!! THE @IDENTITY

Run the query below.

insert into EmpTemp(empName) values ('Sakshi')

(1 row(s) affected)

select IDENT_CURRENT('EmpTemp')

select @@IDENTITY

OUTPUT

---------------------------------------

8

Both IDENT_CURRENT and @@IDENTITY that means @@IDENTITY does the same thing!!!!

Hang around and observe:

Open a new Query window and run the below query again:

select IDENT_CURRENT('EmpTemp')

---------------------------------------

8

(1 row(s) affected)

select @@IDENTITY

---------------------------------------

NULL

(1 row(s) affected)

Weird and wonderful! correct ???

·       IDENT_CURRENT returns the last identity value generated for a specific table in any session and any scope.

@@IDENTITY returns the last identity value generated for any table in the current session, across all scopes.

Post Reference: Vikram Aristocratic Elfin Share