SQL Server : Identity vs UniqueIdentifier columns

IDENTITY vs UNIQUEIDENTIFIER COLUMN

IDENTITY

Sl No
Advantage
Disadvantage
1
Identity column stores numeric values. Numeric value column have better performance in joins, indexes and conditions.

Range of values stored in identity column based on data type :

bigint
2^63 (-9,223,372,036,854,775,808) to 2^63-1 (9,223,372,036,854,775,807)

int
-2^31 (-2,147,483,648) to 2^31-1 (2,147,483,647)

smallint
-2^15 (-32,768) to 2^15-1 (32,767)

tinyint
0 to 255

If table size is large, it is quite possible it will run out of it and after some numeric value there will be no additional identity to use.

2
Numeric values are easier to understand for application users if they are displayed.


























UNIQUEIDENTIFIER


Sl No
Advantage
Disadvantage
1
·        Unique across server

Uniqueidentifier column has string value i.e. {BAE7DF4-DDF-3RG-5TY3E3RF456AS10}. String values are not as optimal as integer values for performance when used in joins, indexes and conditions.

2
·        Since it is unique across server , allows easy merging of records from different databases

More storage space is required than INT
3
·        Allows easy distribution of databases across multiple servers


4
·        You can generate IDs anywhere, instead of having to roundtrip to the database


5
Most replication scenarios require GUID columns anyway




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