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Default Values - Database
Last Updated: May 2, 2013
Definition - What does Default Values - Database mean?
Default values, in the context of databases, are preset values defined for a column type. Default values are used when many records hold similar data.
Techopedia explains Default Values - Database
When creating a database table in systems such as Oracle or SQL Server, an option to specify a default value is available. This separates database design issues from the front-end application. For instance, if a bank's interest rate for the current financial year is 8 percent, this may be set as the default value. This relieves the user from having to enter it repeatedly into the database. Most databases use the keyword “default” as a data type.
Modification to a default data type can be changed by using the ALTER TABLE command. When a new row is created with vacant column data type, it is filled with default values. For example, the “Date” column in most cases has a default data type as the “CURRENT DATE.”
