Have you ever wondered how to retrieve the last inserted identity value in SQL Server? If so, you’re not alone. Many developers are often confused about the differences between the various functions available for this purpose. In this article, we will discuss two commonly used functions – IDENT_CURRENT and SCOPE_IDENTITY() – and when to use them.

Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly recap the differences between these functions:

• @@IDENTITY: This function returns the last identity value produced on a connection, regardless of the table or scope of the statement.
• SCOPE_IDENTITY(): It returns the last identity value produced on a connection and by a statement in the same scope.
• IDENT_CURRENT(‘tablename’): This function returns the last identity value produced in a specific table, regardless of the connection or scope.

Now that we understand the basic differences, let’s discuss when to use each of these functions.

@@IDENTITY: This function is useful when you need to retrieve the last identity value entered into any table in your current session. However, it is important to note that @@IDENTITY can be affected by triggers, so it may not always return the expected value.

SCOPE_IDENTITY(): Unlike @@IDENTITY, SCOPE_IDENTITY() limits the returned value to the current scope. This means that it will only return the last identity value created in the current session and within the same scope. It is generally considered safer to use SCOPE_IDENTITY() over @@IDENTITY.

IDENT_CURRENT(‘tablename’): If you have an application where you need to retrieve the latest identity value of a specific table, regardless of the current system or scope, IDENT_CURRENT() is the function to use. It returns the last identity value generated for the specified table or view, regardless of the session or scope.

It is important to note that IDENT_CURRENT is not limited by scope and session, so the value returned may not necessarily be the one you just inserted. It could be the value inserted by another parallel insert as well.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between IDENT_CURRENT and SCOPE_IDENTITY() is crucial when working with identity values in SQL Server. While SCOPE_IDENTITY() is generally preferred due to its limited scope, IDENT_CURRENT is useful in specific scenarios where you need to retrieve the latest identity value of a particular table.

Remember, always choose the appropriate function based on your specific requirements to ensure accurate retrieval of identity values in SQL Server.