Help with an apparently not so simple update.....please

Question

Help with an apparently not so simple update.....please

ZimpTee

SSC Journeyman

Points: 78
More actions
September 8, 2008 at 6:01 pm

#131169

Trying to change multiple values in a table based on values that are there....
Ok here is example:
update Table_A
set Field_Q = 'ZZZ'
where (Field_Q = 'XXX')
GO
update Table_A
set Field_Q = 'TTT'
where (Field_Q = 'ttt')
GO
update Table_A
set Field_Q = 'GGG'
where (Field_Q = 'rrr')
GO
GO gives error in Sql Server Mgmt Studio. If I remove them parser has problem, creating 'nested' statement that then does nothing.
Have a large number of changes like this to make along with programming changes to use the updated table. Want to script changes, because I will then have to distribute to multiple users.
Probably something simple I have missed or am just unaware of, looking for enlightenment.
Thanks :ermm:

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Jeffrey Williams SSC Guru Points: 90303 More actions · Answer 1

What is the error you are getting?

Jeffrey Williams
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

― Charles R. Swindoll

How to post questions to get better answers faster
Managing Transaction Logs

Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 2

Could you post the exact code as well, the only time I had problems with go was within dynamic SQL... so that is most likely not the problem!

ZimpTee SSC Journeyman Points: 78 More actions · Answer 3

Popup MessageBox said 'syntax error near GO' for each of the GO statements.

I am not at office now, will post EXACT error in a few hours when I get in.

Thanks for the help.

Bradley Philp SSC Rookie Points: 49 More actions · Answer 4

try removing the parenthesis

update Table

Set columna='value'

where columnb = 'othervalue'

Kindest Regards,

Bradley

Bradley Philp SSC Rookie Points: 49 More actions · Answer 5

try removing the parenthesis

update Table

Set columna='value'

where columnb = 'othervalue'

Kindest Regards,

Bradley

Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 6

I agree that those aprenthesis are useless in that context, but that's not the problem here.

ZimpTee SSC Journeyman Points: 78 More actions · Answer 7

Can't put 'exact' code I am trying to run, due to company security, but code example above is exact, other than table and column names.

The parans are there because SQL Syntax check insert them, if I check each stement individually. Didn't think they were needed, but didn't think it made a difference.

When I click the 'Verify SQL Syntax' button in Mgmt Studio I get a popup that says:

"Incorrect syntax near 'GO'." for each of the GO entries in the statement/script.

Am I having a problem, because I am selecting based on, and trying to change the same column?

Is there a differnet process/methodology for this case?

This seems to be my only option, because there are multiple entries with the values I am trying to change. But no unique identifier other than that column.

Thanks

David Webb-CDS SSCoach Points: 17398 More actions · Answer 8

Two ideas:

In the real code, is there anything else on the line with 'GO"? If so, remove it.

Does it complain if the 'GO' is lower case?

And then again, I might be wrong ...
David Webb

ZimpTee SSC Journeyman Points: 78 More actions · Answer 9

nothing else on line with GO, will try lower case.

Thanks.

Jeffrey Williams SSC Guru Points: 90303 More actions · Answer 10

Where exactly in SSMS are you building this query? I have never seen a popup window when I have syntax errors - rather, the results pane will show the error message instead.

If you are not using a query window - then the reason you would be getting this error is because GO is not recognized as a batch terminator in that tool.

Jeffrey Williams
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

― Charles R. Swindoll

How to post questions to get better answers faster
Managing Transaction Logs

ZimpTee SSC Journeyman Points: 78 More actions · Answer 11

Solved problem. I was being stupid.

Was 'Opening' table in Mgmt Studio, and running script in window.

When I check syntax/run in query new query window seperate from table, with just db selected, no syntax/parsing problems and runs fine.

Thanks for help. Sorry to have wasted your time. 😀 😉 😀

ZimpTee SSC Journeyman Points: 78 More actions · Answer 12

ZimpTee

SSC Journeyman

Points: 78

September 10, 2008 at 11:47 am

#869859

Thanks, Jeffrey!

Ninja's_RGR'us SSC Guru Points: 294069 More actions · Answer 13

Well all did that, at least once.

I was most fortunate to have blocked out that sad memory... it all case screaming back at me. :hehe:

Thanks for letting us know :w00t:.