Maximum Value of the IDENTITY Column

The maximum value that you can insert into an IDENTITY column is 10 ^precision - 1. If you do not specify a precision for the IDENTITY column, SAP ASE uses the default precision for numeric columns (18 digits).

Once an IDENTITY column reaches its maximum value, insert statements return an error that aborts the current transaction. When this happens, use one of the methods discussed below to remedy the problem.

• Modify the Maximum Value of the IDENTITY Column
  Alter the maximum value of any IDENTITY column with a modify operation in the alter table command.
• Creating a New Table with a Larger Precision
  You can create a new table that is identical to the old one, except with a larger precision value for the IDENTITY column. If the table contains IDENTITY columns that are used for referential integrity, retain the current numbers for the IDENTITY column values.
• Renumbering the Table IDENTITY Columns with bcp
  If the table does not contain IDENTITY columns used for referential integrity, and if there are gaps in the numbering sequence, you can renumber the IDENTITY column to eliminate gaps, which allows more room for insertions.