Include default constraint names in generation of update script

Question

I'm using a SQL Server Database Project with Visual Studio 2012 and have the following problem when comparing and generating an update script:

In Visual Studio, I add a column with a default constraint, for example:

[NewColumn] NVARCHAR(50) CONSTRAINT [DF_ExistingTable_NewColumn] NOT NULL DEFAULT N''

Unfortunately, the name of the default constraint does not appear when:

• Comparing (Schema Compare) my project with the actual database
• Generating an update script (from within the Schema Compare)

The created update script contains the following script (no constraint name):

ALTER TABLE [dbo].[ExistingTable]
    ADD [NewColumn] NVARCHAR (50) DEFAULT N'' NOT NULL;

This seems like a major oversight, so I'm wondering where to find the magic switch to include the names of default constraints in all database operations.

Answer 1

I think the order may be off in your definition. Try moving the "NOT NULL" part to the end of the line instead of in the middle of your constraint definition.

[NewColumn] NVARCHAR(50) CONSTRAINT [DF_ExistingTable_NewColumn] DEFAULT N'' NOT NULL