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sql-servert-sqlkeywordlanguage-features

Use of Begin / End Blocks and the Go keyword in SQL Server?

What are the guidelines as to when to use the BEGIN and END keywords in SQL Server?

Also, what exactly does the GO keyword do?

Solution

  • GO is like the end of a script.

    You could have multiple CREATE TABLE statements, separated by GO. It's a way of isolating one part of the script from another, but submitting it all in one block.


    BEGIN and END are just like { and } in C/++/#, Java, etc.

    They bound a logical block of code. I tend to use BEGIN and END at the start and end of a stored procedure, but it's not strictly necessary there. Where it IS necessary is for loops, and IF statements, etc, where you need more then one step...

    IF EXISTS (SELECT * FROM my_table WHERE id = @id)
BEGIN
   INSERT INTO Log SELECT @id, 'deleted'
   DELETE my_table WHERE id = @id
END