SQL Server 2012 Auto Identity Column Value Jump Issue

Introduction

From SQL Server 2012 version, when SQL Server instance is restarted, then table's Identity value is jumped and the actual jumped value depends on identity column data type. If it is integer (int) data type, then jump value is 1000 and if big integer (bigint), then jump value is 10000. From our application point of view, this increment is not acceptable for all the business cases specially when the value shows to the client. This is the special case/issue ships with only SQL Server 2012 and older versions have no such issue.

Background

A few days ago, our QA Engineer claims that one of our table's identity column jumped 10000. That means the last identity value of that table was 2200 now it is 12001. In our business logic is like that the value shows to the client and it will not be accepted by the client. So we must solve the issue.

Using the Code

The first time, we all are surprised and confused as to how it is possible? We usually do not insert any value in identity column (insert value to identity column is possible). The identity value is maintained by SQL Server itself. One of our core team members started investigation the issue and found out the solution. Now, I want to elaborate the issue and solution that was found out by my colleague.

How to Reproduce That?

You need to setup SQL Server 2012 and create a test database. Then create a table with auto identity column:

create table MyTestTable(Id int Identity(1,1), Name varchar(255));

Now insert 2 rows there:

insert into MyTestTable(Name) values ('Mr.Tom');
insert into MyTestTable(Name) values ('Mr.Jackson'); 

You see the result:

SELECT Id, Name FROM MyTestTable; 

The result is as expected. Now just restart your SQL Server service. There are various ways in which you can do it. We did it from SQL Server management studio.

Now, insert another 2 rows to the same table again:

insert into MyTestTable(Name) values ('Mr.Tom2');
insert into MyTestTable(Name) values ('Mr.Jackson2');

Now see the result:

SELECT Id, Name FROM MyTestTable;

Now you see that after restarting the SQL Server 2012 instance, then identity value starts with 1002. It means it jumped 1000. Previously, I said that we also see if the data type of that identity column is bigint, then it will jump 10000.

Is it really a bug?

Microsoft declares it is a feature rather than a bug and in many scenarios it would be helpful. But in our case, it would not be acceptable because that number is shown to the client and the client will be surprised to see that new number after jump and the new number depends on how many times SQL Server is restarted. If it is not visible to the client, then it might be acceptable so that the number is used internally.

Solutions

If we are not interested in this so called feature, then we can do two things to stop that jump.

• Using Sequence
• Register -t272 to SQL Server Startup Parameter

Using Sequence

First, we need to remove Identity column from tables. Then create a sequence without cache feature and insert number from that sequence. The following is the code sample:

CREATE SEQUENCE Id_Sequence
    AS INT
    START WITH 1
    INCREMENT BY 1
    MINVALUE 0
    NO MAXVALUE
   NO CACHE

insert into MyTestTable values(NEXT VALUE FOR Id_Sequence, 'Mr.Tom'); 

insert into MyTestTable values(NEXT VALUE FOR Id_Sequence, 'Mr.Jackson'); 

Register -t272 to SQL Server Startup Parameter

Open SQLServer configuration manager from your server. Select SQL Server 2012 instance there right client and select Properties menu. You will find a tabbed dialog window. You select start up parameters tab from there and register -t272. Then restart SQL Server 2012 instance again and see the difference:

Points of Interest

If too many tables contain identity column to your database and all contain existing values, then it is better to go for solution 2. Because it is a very simple solution and its scope is server wise. This means if you add SQL Server 2012 parameter -t272 there, then it will affect all your databases there. If you want to create a new database and you need auto generated number field, then you can use solution 1, that means use sequence value to a column instead of auto Identity value. There are so many articles you can find online about when you will use auto identity column when using sequence and advantages/disadvantages of each other. I hope you will read all those and take the appropriate decision.