I'm making a way for our developers to easily update our database. The way we're doing this is by creating dynamic queries where they define the variables at the top and the query uses the variables for everything else. I've used many recommendations off Stackoverflow, but can't get this to work.
USE MyDatabase
DECLARE #TABLE VARCHAR(200) = 'MyTable'
DECLARE #COLUMN VARCHAR(200) = 'MyColumn'
DECLARE #DATATYPE VARCHAR(200) = 'VARCHAR(200)'
IF COL_LENGTH(#TABLE, #COLUMN) IS NULL
BEGIN
DECLARE #SQL as NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'ALTER TABLE ' + #TABLE + ' ADD COLUMN '
+ #COLUMN +' '+ #DATATYPE
EXEC SP_EXECUTESQL #SQL
END
I get the error:
Incorrect syntax near the keyword 'COLUMN'.
As the error message indicates that is the wrong syntax. Somewhat confusingly the COLUMN keyword is not permitted when adding a column.
Also VARCHAR(200) should really be SYSNAME to cope with all possible valid names (currently equivalent to nvarchar(128)) and use QUOTENAME to correctly escape any object names containing ]
More about this is in The Curse and Blessings of Dynamic SQL: Dealing with Dynamic Table and Column Names
I highly suggest against doing this due to exposure to SQL injection. However, if you must, remove the word COLUMN from your script and it should work.
USE MyDatabase
DECLARE #TABLE VARCHAR(200) = 'MyTable'
DECLARE #COLUMN VARCHAR(200) = 'MyColumn'
DECLARE #DATATYPE VARCHAR(200) = 'VARCHAR(200)'
IF COL_LENGTH(#TABLE, #COLUMN) IS NULL
BEGIN
DECLARE #SQL as NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'ALTER TABLE ' + #TABLE + ' ADD ' + #COLUMN +' '+ #DATATYPE
EXEC SP_EXECUTESQL #SQL
END
Related
For the last couple days I am pulling my hair out because of a problem I have.
In a stored procedure, I want to use the column name as parameter to update a value in the table.
I have the following code
ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[Item_Update_Single]
#Id nvarchar(15),
#ColumnName nvarchar(80),
#NewValue nvarchar(80)
AS
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(MAX)
SET #sql = N'UPDATE [Item] SET [' + QUOTENAME(#ColumnName) + ']' + '= ' + QUOTENAME(#NewValue) +' WHERE [Id] = ' + #Id
PRINT #sql
The stored procedure is running fine, no errors, but the table is not updated. If I run the #SQL string in query window, the data is updated.
I am a sort of newbie but what did I do wrong here?
You never execute your dynamic statement. Your use of QUOTENAME is also wrong. '[' + QUOTENAME(#ColumnName) + ']' would result in [[ColumnName]] and QUOTENAME(#NewValue) would refer to a column with the name of what ever value is in #NewValue, not a string literal. You should be parametrising the statement and properly injecting the dynamic object:
ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[Item_Update_Single] #Id int, --Guess this is actually an int
#ColumnName sysname, --Corrected data type
#NewValue nvarchar(80) --I assume this is correct
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(MAX);
SET #sql = N'UPDATE dbo.[Item] SET ' + QUOTENAME(#ColumnName) + ' = #NewValue WHERE [Id] = #ID;'
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #SQL, N'#NewValue nvarchar(80),#Id int', #NewValue, #ID;
END
This, however, seems like an XY Problem. Solutions like this are almost always a bad idea and often infer a significant design flaw.
Is there a way to do something like this? People is the name of the table.
declare #placeholder varchar(20) = 'People'
select * from #placeholder
Or something like this where the table name is People_Backup.
declare #placeholder varchar(20) = '_Backup'
select * from People#placeholder
And is there a way to add in dynamic sql the value of a variable?
something like this:
declare #placeholder nvarchar(20) = 'people'
declare #name nvarchar(30) = 'antony'
declare #query nvarchar(1000) = 'select * from ' + #placeholder + ' where
first_name=' + #name
exec sp_executesql #query
I mean: without do this
exec sp_executesql #query, N'#name varchar(30)', #name
Thank you for the answers.
Not without dynamic SQL.
Parameters in SQL are placeholders for data, and can't be used as placeholders for anything else (which includes commands such as select, update etc' and identifiers such as database name, schema name, table name, column name etc').
The only way to parameterize table names is to use dynamic SQL - meaning you must build a string containing the SQL you want to execute, and then execute it.
Beware - dynamic SQL might be an open door for SQL injection attacks - so you must do it wisely - here are some ground rules:
Always white-list your identifiers (using system tables or views such as sys.Tables or Information_schema.Columns)
Always use sysname as the datatype for identifiers.
The sysname data type is used for table columns, variables, and stored procedure parameters that store object names. The exact definition of sysname is related to the rules for identifiers. Therefore, it can vary between instances of SQL Server.
Never pass SQL commands or clauses in parameters - set #placeholder = 'select a, b, c' or set #placeholder = 'where x = y' is a security hazard!
Always use parameters for data. Never concatenate parameters into your sql string: set #sql = 'select * from table where x = '+ #x is a security hazard. Always create your dynamic SQL to use parameters as parameters: set #sql = 'select * from table where x = #x'
Always use sp_executeSql to execute your dynamic SQL statement, not EXEC(#SQL).
For more information, read Kimberly Tripp's EXEC and sp_executesql – how are they different?
Always wrap identifiers with QUOTENAME() to ensure correct query even when identifiers include chars like white-spaces
To recap - a safe version of what you are asking for (with an additional dynamic where clause to illustrate the other points) is something like this:
#DECLARE #TableName sysname = 'People',
#ColumnName sysname = 'FirstName'
#Search varchar(10) = 'Zohar';
IF EXISTS(
SELECT 1
FROM Information_Schema.Columns
WHERE TABLE_NAME = #TableName
AND COLUMN_NAME = #ColumnName
)
BEGIN
DECLARE #Sql nvarchar(4000) =
'SELECT * FROM +' QUOTENAME(#TableName) +' WHERE '+ QUOTENAME(#ColumnName) +' LIKE ''%''+ #Search +''%'';'
EXEC sp_executesql #Sql, N'#Search varchar(10)', #Search
END
-- you might want to raise an error if not
To answer your question after edited directly:
I mean: without do this exec sp_executesql #query, N'#name varchar(30)', #name
Yes, you can do it without using sp_executeSql, but it's dangerous - it will enable an attacker to use something like '';DROP TABLE People;-- as the value of #name, so that when you execute the sql, your People table will be dropped.
To do that, you will need to wrap the #name with ' -
declare #placeholder nvarchar(20) = 'people'
declare #name nvarchar(30) = 'antony'
declare #query nvarchar(1000) = 'select * from ' + QUOTENAME(#placeholder) + ' where
first_name=''' + #name +''''
exec(#query)
I mean: without do this exec sp_executesql #query, N'#name varchar(30)', #name
Yes, you can do that as
--Use MAX instead of 1000
DECLARE #SQL nvarchar(MAX) = N'SELECT * FROM ' + #placeholder + ' WHERE first_name = '''+#name +'''';
EXECUTE sp_executesql #SQL;
create procedure sp_First
#columnname varchar
AS
begin
select #columnname from Table_1
end
exec sp_First 'sname'
My requirement is to pass column names as input parameters.
I tried like that but it gave wrong output.
So Help me
You can do this in a couple of ways.
One, is to build up the query yourself and execute it.
SET #sql = 'SELECT ' + #columnName + ' FROM yourTable'
sp_executesql #sql
If you opt for that method, be very certain to santise your input. Even if you know your application will only give 'real' column names, what if some-one finds a crack in your security and is able to execute the SP directly? Then they can execute just about anything they like. With dynamic SQL, always, always, validate the parameters.
Alternatively, you can write a CASE statement...
SELECT
CASE #columnName
WHEN 'Col1' THEN Col1
WHEN 'Col2' THEN Col2
ELSE NULL
END as selectedColumn
FROM
yourTable
This is a bit more long winded, but a whole lot more secure.
No. That would just select the parameter value. You would need to use dynamic sql.
In your procedure you would have the following:
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max) = 'SELECT ' + #columnname + ' FROM Table_1';
exec sp_executesql #sql, N''
Try using dynamic SQL:
create procedure sp_First #columnname varchar
AS
begin
declare #sql nvarchar(4000);
set #sql='select ['+#columnname+'] from Table_1';
exec sp_executesql #sql
end
go
exec sp_First 'sname'
go
This is not possible. Either use dynamic SQL (dangerous) or a gigantic case expression (slow).
Create PROCEDURE USP_S_NameAvilability
(#Value VARCHAR(50)=null,
#TableName VARCHAR(50)=null,
#ColumnName VARCHAR(50)=null)
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #cmd AS NVARCHAR(max)
SET #Value = ''''+#Value+ ''''
SET #cmd = N'SELECT * FROM ' + #TableName + ' WHERE ' + #ColumnName + ' = ' + #Value
EXEC(#cmd)
END
As i have tried one the answer, it is getting executed successfully but while running its not giving correct output, the above works well
You can pass the column name but you cannot use it in a sql statemnt like
Select #Columnname From Table
One could build a dynamic sql string and execute it like EXEC (#SQL)
For more information see this answer on dynamic sql.
Dynamic SQL Pros and Cons
As mentioned by MatBailie
This is much more safe since it is not a dynamic query and ther are lesser chances of sql injection . I Added one situation where you even want the where clause to be dynamic . XX YY are Columns names
CREATE PROCEDURE [dbo].[DASH_getTP_under_TP]
(
#fromColumnName varchar(10) ,
#toColumnName varchar(10) ,
#ID varchar(10)
)
as
begin
-- this is the column required for where clause
declare #colname varchar(50)
set #colname=case #fromUserType
when 'XX' then 'XX'
when 'YY' then 'YY'
end
select SelectedColumnId from (
select
case #toColumnName
when 'XX' then tablename.XX
when 'YY' then tablename.YY
end as SelectedColumnId,
From tablename
where
(case #fromUserType
when 'XX' then XX
when 'YY' then YY
end)= ISNULL(#ID , #colname)
) as tbl1 group by SelectedColumnId
end
First Run;
CREATE PROCEDURE sp_First #columnname NVARCHAR(128)--128 = SQL Server Maximum Column Name Length
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #query NVARCHAR(MAX)
SET #query = 'SELECT ' + #columnname + ' FROM Table_1'
EXEC(#query)
END
Second Run;
EXEC sp_First 'COLUMN_Name'
Please Try with this.
I hope it will work for you.
Create Procedure Test
(
#Table VARCHAR(500),
#Column VARCHAR(100),
#Value VARCHAR(300)
)
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(1000)
SET #sql = 'SELECT * FROM ' + #Table + ' WHERE ' + #Column + ' = ' + #Value
--SELECT #sql
exec (#sql)
END
-----execution----
/** Exec Test Products,IsDeposit,1 **/
I am using SQL Server 2012, I am going to Create Store Procedure which copies a column from a table in a variable, Could any one please tell me what is Wrong with this code?
alter Procedure Id_Fetch
#Col varchar(50)=null,
#Table VARCHAR(50)=Null,
#OrdrBy Varchar(40)=null
as
Begin
declare #TempCol nvarchar (100)
Exec(' SELECT '+#TempCol+' = '+#Col+' from ' + #Table +' order by '+#OrdrBy )
its showing error "Incorrect Syntax near '='
A little modification ...... Use TOP 1 in your select as if more than one value is returned by your select it will throw an error.
Use SYSNAME datatype for your Column names and table names.
Use QUOTENAME() function around your object name parameters, which puts square brackets [] around the passed parameter value and forces it to be treated as an object name (Protection against Sql Injection attack).
Use sp_executesql instead of EXEC and concatenating parameter values into string and executing again protects you against Sql Injection attack.
ALTER PROCEDURE Id_Fetch
#Col SYSNAME,
#Table SYSNAME,
#OrdrBy SYSNAME,
#Col_Value NVARCHAR(100) OUTPUT
AS
BEGIN
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE #Sql NVARCHAR(MAX);
SET #Sql = N' SELECT TOP 1 #Col_Value = ' + QUOTENAME(#Col)
+ N' FROM ' + QUOTENAME(#Table)
+ N' ORDER BY ' + QUOTENAME(#OrdrBy)
EXECUTE sp_executesql #Sql
,N'#Col_Value NVARCHAR(100) OUTPUT'
,#Col_Value OUTPUT
END
Hi I am writing a large stored procedure, which creates a dynamic report table, of n columns in size, the first 6 are constant the remainder depend on a few arguments passed to the procedure to create the table with the required columns.
The problem that I am having is with the following TSQL
DECLARE #columnname VARCHAR(50)
SET #columnname = 'on_' + #description
IF NOT EXISTS(SELECT * FROM syscolumns WHERE id = OBJECT_ID('reports')
AND NAME = #columnname)
BEGIN
ALTER TABLE reports ADD #columnname VARCHAR(50) NULL
END
I am getting syntax errors with this at the #columnname in the ALTER TABLE statement of the above code.
Also as I am new to this, I am not sure if this is the best way to do this, or if there are better ways in TSQL to generate the required dynamic table.
Try this:
declare #sql nvarchar(100)
set #sql = 'ALTER TABLE reports ADD '+ #columnname+' VARCHAR(50) NULL'
exec sp_executesql #sql
Try
DECLARE #columnname VARCHAR(50)
SET #columnname = '[on_' + #description +']'
IF NOT EXISTS(SELECT * FROM syscolumns WHERE id = OBJECT_ID('reports')
AND NAME = #columnname)
BEGIN
ALTER TABLE reports ADD #columnname VARCHAR(50) NULL
END
Cannot get around having to do it dynamically I believe so change your BEGIN block to something like this:
DECLARE #sql VARCHAR(8000)
BEGIN
SET #sql = 'ALTER TABLE Table_1 ADD '+#columnname+' VARCHAR(50) NULL'
EXEC(#sql)
END