December 18, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Hello experts,
I'm learning about the T-SQL MERGE statement and see that there is an INTO clause specified in the syntax definition. However, I don't see it explicitly explained in BOL.
[ WITH <common_table_expression> [,...n] ]
MERGE
[ TOP ( expression ) [ PERCENT ] ]
[ INTO ] <target_table> [ WITH ( <merge_hint> ) ] [ [ AS ] table_alias ]
USING <table_source> ...
It appears to be optional because I have read many tutorial pages that exclude it, for example, as follows:
MERGE [Destination Table] AS Target
USING [Source Table] AS Source
ON Target.KeyField = Source.KeyField
Ref.:
http://www.purplefrogsystems.com/blog/2011/12/introduction-to-t-sql-merge-basics/
Could someone explain the purpose of the INTO clause, specifically when to use or not use it?
Thanks for any help!
- webrunner
-------------------
A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html
December 18, 2015 at 12:40 pm
It's a readability word. You can omit it if you choose (much like the word AS when aliasing columns).
The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
- Martin Rees
The absence of consumable DDL, sample data and desired results is, however, evidence of the absence of my response
- Phil Parkin
December 18, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Phil Parkin (12/18/2015)
It's a readability word. You can omit it if you choose (much like the word AS when aliasing columns).
Thanks! That explains it. 🙂
- webrunnr
-------------------
A SQL query walks into a bar and sees two tables. He walks up to them and asks, "Can I join you?"
Ref.: http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2009/02/sql-joke.html
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