How do you auto generate a primary key

[Mike Chang]

Hi
I'm using PL/SQL to create a table and would
like the primary key to be generated by the
oracle database every time I enter a new record.
Any ideas?.
(new boy hence the simple question)

[SJ Adnams]

tom kyte would say use a trigger. I don't like doing that so do it explicitly in your sql

CREATE SEQUENCE YOUR_TAB_SEQ START WITH 1 INCREMENT BY 1;
insert into your_tab(pk_column, data) values (your_tab_seq.nextval, 'some data');

[Mark Spritzler]

I agree with Simon. This also allows for some flexibility. In that you can get the nextval without inserting an actual record. If for some reason you need that ID first before you want to insert. You would not be able to do that with a trigger.
Mark

[Mike Chang]

Hi thanks Simon & Mark.