Transact-SQL Reference

END (BEGIN...END)

Encloses a series of Transact-SQL statements that will execute as a group. BEGIN...END blocks can be nested.

Syntax

BEGIN
    { sql_statement | statement_block }
END

Arguments

{sql_statement | statement_block}

Is any valid Transact-SQL statement or statement grouping as defined with a statement block. To define a statement block (batch), use the control-of-flow language keywords BEGIN and END. Although all Transact-SQL statements are valid within a BEGIN...END block, certain Transact-SQL statements should not be grouped together within the same batch (statement block).

Result Types

Boolean

Examples

This example produces a list of business books that are priced less than $20 when one or more books meet these conditions. Otherwise, SQL Server prints a message that no books meet the conditions and a list of all books that cost less than $20 is produced.

SET NOCOUNT OFF
GO
USE pubs
GO
SET NOCOUNT ON
GO
DECLARE @msg varchar(255)
IF (SELECT COUNT(price)
   FROM titles 
   WHERE title_id LIKE 'BU%' AND price < 20) > 0
   
   BEGIN
     SET @msg = 'There are several books that are a good value at under $20. These books are: '
         PRINT @msg
     SET NOCOUNT OFF      
      SELECT title 
      FROM titles 
      WHERE price < 20
   END
ELSE
   BEGIN
     SET @msg = 'There are no books under $20. '
         PRINT @msg
     SELECT title 
     FROM titles 
     WHERE title_id 
     LIKE 'BU%' 
     AND 
     PRICE <10
   END

Here is the result set:

There are several books that are a good value at under $20. These books are: 
title                                                                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Busy Executive's Database Guide                                              
Cooking with Computers: Surreptitious Balance Sheets                             
You Can Combat Computer Stress!                                                  
Straight Talk About Computers                                                    
Silicon Valley Gastronomic Treats                                                
The Gourmet Microwave                                                            
Is Anger the Enemy?                                                              
Life Without Fear                                                                
Prolonged Data Deprivation: Four Case Studies                                    
Emotional Security: A New Algorithm                                              
Fifty Years in Buckingham Palace Kitchens                                        
Sushi, Anyone?                                                                   

(12 row(s) affected)

See Also

ALTER TRIGGER

Batches

BEGIN...END

Control-of-Flow Language

CREATE TRIGGER

ELSE (IF...ELSE)

IF...ELSE

WHILE