Sql – conditional unique constraint

sqlsql-serversql-server-2005

I have a situation where i need to enforce a unique constraint on a set of columns, but only for one value of a column.

So for example I have a table like Table(ID, Name, RecordStatus).

RecordStatus can only have a value 1 or 2 (active or deleted), and I want to create a unique constraint on (ID, RecordStatus) only when RecordStatus = 1, since I don't care if there are multiple deleted records with the same ID.

Apart from writing triggers, can I do that?

I am using SQL Server 2005.

Best Solution

Behold, the filtered index. From the documentation (emphasis mine):

A filtered index is an optimized nonclustered index especially suited to cover queries that select from a well-defined subset of data. It uses a filter predicate to index a portion of rows in the table. A well-designed filtered index can improve query performance as well as reduce index maintenance and storage costs compared with full-table indexes.

And here's an example combining a unique index with a filter predicate:

create unique index MyIndex
on MyTable(ID)
where RecordStatus = 1;

This essentially enforces uniqueness of ID when RecordStatus is 1.

Following the creation of that index, a uniqueness violation will raise an arror:

Msg 2601, Level 14, State 1, Line 13
Cannot insert duplicate key row in object 'dbo.MyTable' with unique index 'MyIndex'. The duplicate key value is (9999).

_{Note: the filtered index was introduced in SQL Server 2008. For earlier versions of SQL Server, please see this answer.}

Syntax:

ALTER TABLE {TABLENAME} 
ADD {COLUMNNAME} {TYPE} {NULL|NOT NULL} 
CONSTRAINT {CONSTRAINT_NAME} DEFAULT {DEFAULT_VALUE}
WITH VALUES

Example:

ALTER TABLE SomeTable
        ADD SomeCol Bit NULL --Or NOT NULL.
 CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol --When Omitted a Default-Constraint Name is autogenerated.
    DEFAULT (0)--Optional Default-Constraint.
WITH VALUES --Add if Column is Nullable and you want the Default Value for Existing Records.

Notes:

Optional Constraint Name:
If you leave out CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol then SQL Server will autogenerate
a Default-Contraint with a funny Name like: DF__SomeTa__SomeC__4FB7FEF6

Optional With-Values Statement:
The WITH VALUES is only needed when your Column is Nullable
and you want the Default Value used for Existing Records.
If your Column is NOT NULL, then it will automatically use the Default Value
for all Existing Records, whether you specify WITH VALUES or not.

How Inserts work with a Default-Constraint:
If you insert a Record into SomeTable and do not Specify SomeCol's value, then it will Default to 0.
If you insert a Record and Specify SomeCol's value as NULL (and your column allows nulls),
then the Default-Constraint will not be used and NULL will be inserted as the Value.

Notes were based on everyone's great feedback below.
Special Thanks to:
@Yatrix, @WalterStabosz, @YahooSerious, and @StackMan for their Comments.

Best Solution

Related Solutions

SQL Server 2005 How Create a Unique Constraint

Sql – Add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server

Syntax:

Example:

Notes:

Related Question