Transact-SQL Reference (Database Engine); 2 minutes to read +6; In this article. APPLIES TO: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure Synapse Analytics (SQL DW) Parallel Data Warehouse This topic gives the basics about how to find and use the Microsoft Transact-SQL (T-SQL) reference topics. SQL Server technical documentation. Technical documentation to help you get started, administer, develop, and work with SQL Server and associated products. Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre Installation Guide 5.0 User Manual. Installing microsoft sql server 2008. Rockwell Automation Equipment. Manuals Directory ManualsDir.com - online owner manuals library. Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008. Sep 30, 2014 This article describes that Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 4 (SP4) is the latest service pack for SQL Server 2008. Additionally, it provides the information for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3 (SP3), Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2), and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

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APPLIES TO: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure Synapse Analytics (SQL DW) Parallel Data Warehouse

The sqlcmd utility is a command-line utility for ad hoc, interactive execution of Transact-SQL statements and scripts and for automating Transact-SQL scripting tasks. To use sqlcmd interactively, or to build script files to be run using sqlcmd, users must understand Transact-SQL. The sqlcmd utility is typically used in the following ways:

Users enter Transact-SQL statements in a manner similar to working at the command prompt. The results are displayed at the command prompt. To open a Command Prompt window, enter 'cmd' in the Windows search box and click Command Prompt to open. At the command prompt, type sqlcmd followed by a list of options that you want. For a complete list of the options that are supported by sqlcmd, see sqlcmd Utility.
Users submit a sqlcmd job either by specifying a single Transact-SQL statement to execute, or by pointing the utility to a text file that contains Transact-SQL statements to execute. The output is usually directed to a text file, but can also be displayed at the command prompt.
SQLCMD mode in SQL Server Management Studio Query Editor.
SQL Server Management Objects (SMO)
SQL Server Agent CmdExec jobs.

Typically used sqlcmd options

Server option (-S) identifies the instance of Microsoft SQL Server to which sqlcmd connects.
Authentication options (-E, -U, and -P) specify the credentials that sqlcmd uses to connect to the instance of SQL Server. NOTE: The option -E is the default and does not need to be specified.
Input options (-Q, -q, and -i) identify the location of the input to sqlcmd.
The output option (-o) specifies the file in which sqlcmd is to put its output.

Connect to the sqlcmd utility

Connecting to a default instance by using Windows Authentication to interactively run Transact-SQL statements:
NOTE: In the previous example, -E is not specified because it is the default and sqlcmd connects to the default instance by using Windows Authentication.
Connecting to a named instance by using Windows Authentication to interactively run Transact-SQL statements:
or
Connecting to a named instance by using Windows Authentication and specifying input and output files:
Connecting to the default instance on the local computer by using Windows Authentication, executing a query, and having sqlcmd remain running after the query has finished running:
Connecting to the default instance on the local computer by using Windows Authentication, executing a query, directing the output to a file, and having sqlcmd exit after the query has finished running:
Connecting to a named instance using SQL Server Authentication to interactively run Transact-SQL statements, with sqlcmd prompting for a password:
HINT!! To see a list of the options that are supported by the sqlcmd utility run: sqlcmd -?.

Run Transact-SQL statements interactively by using sqlcmd

You can use the sqlcmd utility interactively to execute Transact-SQL statements in a Command Prompt window. To interactively execute Transact-SQL statements by using sqlcmd, run the utility without using the -Q, -q, -Z, or -i options to specify any input files or queries. For example:

sqlcmd -S <ComputerName><InstanceName>

When the command is executed without input files or queries, sqlcmd connects to the specified instance of SQL Server and then displays a new line with a 1> followed by a blinking underscore that is named the sqlcmd prompt. The 1 signifies that this is the first line of a Transact-SQL statement, and the sqlcmd prompt is the point at which the Transact-SQL statement will start when you type it in.

At the sqlcmd prompt, you can type both Transact-SQL statements and sqlcmd commands, such as GO and EXIT. Each Transact-SQL statement is put in a buffer called the statement cache. These statements are sent to SQL Server after you type the GO command and press ENTER. To exit sqlcmd, type EXIT or QUIT at the start of a new line.

To clear the statement cache, type :RESET. Typing ^C causes sqlcmd to exit. ^C can also be used to stop the execution of the statement cache after a GO command has been issued.

Transact-SQL statements that are entered in an interactive session can edited by entering the :ED command and the sqlcmd prompt. The editor will open and, after editing the Transact-SQL statement and closing the editor, the revised Transact-SQL statement will appear in the command window. Enter GO to run therevised Transact-SQL statement.

Quoted strings

Characters that are enclosed in quotation marks are used without any additional preprocessing, except that quotations marks can be inserted into a string by entering two consecutive quotation marks. SQL Server treats this character sequence as one quotation mark. (However, the translation occurs in the server.) Scripting variables will not be expanded when they appear within a string.

For example:

sqlcmd

PRINT 'Length: 5' 7';

GO

Here is the result set.

Length: 5' 7'

Strings that span multiple lines

sqlcmd supports scripts that have strings that span multiple lines. For example, the following SELECT statement spans multiple lines but is a single string executed when you press the ENTER key after typing GO.

SELECT First line

FROM Second line

WHERE Third line;

GO

Interactive sqlcmd example

This is an example of what you see when you run sqlcmd interactively.

When you open a Command Prompt window, there is one line similar to:

C:> _

This means the folder C: is the current folder, and if you specify a file name, Windows will look for the file in that folder.

Type sqlcmd to connect to the default instance of SQL Server on the local computer, and the contents of the Command Prompt window will be:

C:>sqlcmd

1> _

This means you have connected to the instance of SQL Server and sqlcmd is now ready to accept Transact-SQL statements and sqlcmd commands. The flashing underscore after the 1> is the sqlcmd prompt that marks

Microsoft Sql Server 2008 User Manual