The SQL UPDATE syntax

The general syntax is:

1. UPDATE table–name
2. SET column–name = value, column–name = value, …

To limit the number of records to UPDATE append a WHERE clause:

1. UPDATE table–name
2. SET column–name = value, column–name = value, …
3. WHERE condition

SQL UPDATE Examples

Problem: discontinue all products in the database

1. UPDATE Product
2. SET IsDiscontinued = 1

Note: the value 1 denotes true.
Results: 77 records updated.

Problem: Discontinue products over $50.

1. UPDATE Product
2. SET IsDiscontinued = 1
3. WHERE UnitPrice > 50

Note: the value 1 denotes true.
Results: 7 records updated.

Problem: Discontinue product with Id = 46.

1. UPDATE Product
2. SET IsDiscontinued = 1
3. WHERE Id = 46

This is a more common scenario in which a single record is updated.
Note: the value 1 denotes true.
Results: 1 record updated.

Problem: Supplier Norske Meierier (Id = 15) has moved: update their city, phone and fax.

1. UPDATE Supplier
2. SET City = ‘Oslo’, Phone = ‘(0)1-953530’, Fax = ‘(0)1-953555’
3. WHERE Id = 15

This is a common scenario in which a single record is updated.
Results: 1 record updated.