Default values
A default value is the value that is inserted into
a column when an explicit value is not specified in an INSERT statement.
A default value can be a literal character string that you define
or one of the following SQL constant expressions:
- USER
- CURRENT
- TODAY
- DBSERVERNAME
Not all columns require default values, but as you work with your
data model, you might discover instances where the use of a default
value saves data-entry time or prevents data-entry error. For example,
the telephone directory model has a state column. While you
look at the data for this column, you discover that more than 50 percent
of the addresses list California as the state. To save time, specify
the string CA as the default value for the state column.