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

Question

How can I add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server 2000 / SQL Server 2005?

Answer 1

Alternatively, you can add a default without having to explicitly name the constraint:

ALTER TABLE [schema].[tablename] ADD  DEFAULT ((0)) FOR [columnname]

If you have an issue with existing default constraints when creating this constraint then they can be removed by:

alter table [schema].[tablename] drop constraint [constraintname]