BUG: Adding Columns of Non-Nullable User Defined Datatypes (168660)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5

This article was previously published under Q168660

BUG #: 16534 (WINDOWS: 6.5)

SYMPTOMS

In SQL Server, you can only add columns that allow NULL to an existing table. However, if a user-defined datatype is created as not allowing NULLs, this user-defined datatype can be added to existing tables as shown in the following example:

   sp_addtype 'ssn', 'VARCHAR(11)','NOT NULL'
   GO
   ALTER TABLE Test
   ADD
   SSNumber ssn NULL

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, add this user-defined datatype during the initial creation of the table.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 6.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	10/3/2003
Keywords:	kbBug kbusage KB168660