Inserting rows into a table with one IDENTITY column only

Quick context of operations

Various operational challenges can rear their heads when dealing with identity columns. Keep these solutions as an antidote to combat common cases:

Averting MAX chaos during concurrency

Attempting to use MAX to fetch the next identity value in a high load scenario is like attempting to catch a butterfly during a hurricane, it gets messy. Concurrent environments can produce duplicate identities. Your lifeboat here is the OUTPUT clause. Sail safe with it:

INSERT INTO YourTable
OUTPUT INSERTED.ID 
DEFAULT VALUES;
-- OUTPUT: "Hey, where did my twin go?"
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Crafting identities for the identity-less

Sometimes, we must introduce identities into a non-identity situation. The SET IDENTITY_INSERT command allows you to momentarily play God and create identity values:

SET IDENTITY_INSERT YourTable ON;

INSERT INTO YourTable (ID)
VALUES (TheIdentityYouBelieveIn);

SET IDENTITY_INSERT YourTable OFF;
-- SET IDENTITY_INSERT: "I have the power... oh, wait, no more."
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Stored procedures: Your structure's scaffold

Stored procedures let you encapsulate the insertion logic into a neat package, laying out the rules like a strict but fair school principal:

CREATE PROCEDURE InsertIntoYourTable
AS
BEGIN
    INSERT INTO YourTable DEFAULT VALUES;
    SELECT SCOPE_IDENTITY() AS NewID;
END;
-- NewID after each INSERT: "I am unique, like everyone else."
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The Brutal Truth About Identity Retrieval

IDENT_CURRENT and SCOPE_IDENTITY() are like ice cream flavors, each appealing in its situation. While IDENT_CURRENT isn't known for its loyalty towards session-specificity, SCOPE_IDENTITY() mostly plays it safe barring certain exceptions. Always handle with an abundance of caution.

The Art of Creating Meaningful Tables

An IDENTITY column is the star of our show, but even a star needs a good supporting cast. Define meaningful columns for a stellar performance and maintain relational integrity with primary keys and foreign keys.

Embracing Transaction Safety & Stress Testing

transactions are your friendly neighborhood superhero. They ensure that your operations are safe from potential threats. Also, it's wise to test your approach, especially when under load, as you don't want your system to crumble like a cookie under pressure.