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Learn how to dynamically pass variables in SQL CMD without syntax errors. This guide explains the solution using a straightforward example.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63827608/ asked by the user 'Kevin Joos' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7640129/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63827978/ provided by the user 'Dan Guzman' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/3711162/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Pass Variables with Brackets and Single Quotes in SQL CMD: A Simple Guide

When working with SQL Server, especially through command-line tools like sqlcmd, it's not uncommon to encounter issues when passing dynamic variables, particularly when these variables include brackets and single quotes. Such scenarios often lead to syntax errors that can stall your development process. In this post, we'll explore a common problem regarding passing variables in sqlcmd and provide a clear, detailed solution to ensure your scripts execute smoothly.

The Challenge

Imagine you are trying to create a script to dynamically insert database names into a temporary table, based on a variable input. You might start with a query that looks like the following:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This script works perfectly. However, when you attempt to make it dynamic by using sqlcmd to pass variables, you face unexpected syntax errors. Let's dive deeper into how this happens and how you can fix it.

Understanding the Syntax Error

You might attempt to pass your variable in sqlcmd like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Then, within your SQL script, you might think to insert those values as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Problem

When the sqlcmd processes this substitution, your code transforms into:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Here’s the catch: the entire list of values is now enclosed in single quotes, which is invalid T-SQL syntax. This is why you're receiving that syntax error.

The Solution

To resolve this issue, all you need to do is adjust how you insert the values. Remove the quotes from your INSERT statement when specifying the variable. Here's the corrected version:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

With this update, after variable substitution, your SQL becomes:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This change allows the database engine to properly interpret your values without throwing a syntax error.

Conclusion

Using sqlcmd to pass variables that include brackets and single quotes can be tricky due to potential syntax errors. By understanding how SQL Server processes these variables and adjusting your script accordingly, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your dynamic database scripts run error-free.

Now you can confidently create dynamic SQL scripts with ease! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!