Question

Using Transact SQL is there a way to specify a default datetime on a column (in the create table statement) such that the datetime is the minimum possible value for datetime values?

 create table atable (   atableID int IDENTITY(1, 1) PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED,   Modified datetime DEFAULT XXXXX?????? ) 

Perhaps I should just leave it null.

Answer 1

As far as I am aware no function exists to return this, you will have to hard set it.

Attempting to cast from values such as 0 to get a minimum date will default to 01-01-1900.

As suggested previously best left set to NULL (and use ISNULL when reading if you need to), or if you are worried about setting it correctly you could even set a trigger on the table to set your modified date on edits.

If you have your heart set on getting the minimum possible date then:

 create table atable (   atableID int IDENTITY(1, 1) PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED,   Modified datetime DEFAULT '1753-01-01' )