Friday 18 August 2017

SQL query to UPDATE table in the DATABASE

The UPDATE Statement

When we need to modify existing row, we need to use the UPDATE statement. If needed, we can update multiple records at the same time. For the UPDATE to be successful the user must have data manipulation privileges (UPDATE privilege) on the table or column and the updated value must not conflict with all the applicable constraints (such as primary keys, unique indexes, CHECK constraints, and NOT NULL constraints).

Syntax

UPDATE table_name
SET column_name = value, column_name = value...
WHERE condition;

table_name
It is the table name
SET
Modification clause
column_name
Existing column name which is to be modified.
value
New value to be updated to the column or subquery for the column.
condition
Basis on which the modification is performed. It can include column names, expressions, constants, subqueries, and comparison operators

Example

Let us see the output row from students table where the rollno is 4.

select * from students
where rollno=4;






We will update the lastname for the student whose roll no is 4 with use of update statement example as shown below.

update students
set lastname='Green'
where rollno=4;

commit;

select * from students
where rollno=4;





We can see that the Oliver’s lastname has been updated from Queen to Green.

We must prefer the primary key to identify a single row. Using other columns may unexpectedly cause several rows to be updated. If we omit the WHERE clause, ALL records will be updated.

update students
set lastname='Green';
commit;

The above query will update all the rows in students table and set lastname to Green.

select * from students;











So the UPDATE statement should be used with caution.


Updating Multiple Columns with a Subquery

It is possible to update multiple columns in the single query. Also there is provision to take the value which has to be set as an output from the sub query. A subquery is a query that is nested inside a SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement, or inside another subquery. A subquery can be used anywhere an expression is allowed. A subquery is also called an inner query or inner select, while the statement containing a subquery is also called an outer query or outer select. The SELECT query of a subquery is always enclosed in parentheses. 

Syntax

UPDATE table_name
SET column_name = (SELECT column_name FROM table_name WHERE condition),
      column_name = (SELECT column_name FROM table_name WHERE condition)
WHERE condition;

Example

Let us update students table using subquery on the same students table as shown below. Here we are updating firstname and city column for row with roll no 45.

update students
set lastname=(select firstname from students where rollno=14),
      CITY=(select CITY from students where rollno=21)
where rollno=45;

commit;

The lastname column in the outer query is populated by subquery which refers to firstname column of students where roll no is 14.

The city column the outer query is populated by subquery which refers to city column of students where roll no is 21.

Before update the output of students table is as shown below.

select * from students;









After update the output of students table is as shown below.

select * from students;









Updating Rows Based on another Table

We can update multiple columns as well as from multiple sub queries and also refer to multiple tables.

Syntax

UPDATE table_name
SET column_name = (SELECT column_name FROM table_name_1 WHERE condition),
      column_name = (SELECT column_name FROM table_name_2 WHERE condition)
WHERE condition;

Example

Now we will update students_copy table by taking values  from students table.

select * from students_copy; 









Below is an update statement where the lastname for Barry is Allen is updated to Kara. The lastname column in the outer query is populated by subquery which refers to firstname column of students where roll no is 14.

update students_copy
set lastname=(select firstname from students where rollno=14)
where rollno=45;

commit;

Let us check the output after update.

select * from students_copy; 


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