Equivalent of MySQL ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE in Sql Server

Question

I am trying to find an equivalent of the following MySql query in Sql Server (2012)?

INSERT INTO mytable (COL_A, COL_B, COL_C, COL_D)
VALUES ( \'VAL_A\',\'VA         


        

Answer 1

You are basically looking for an Insert or Update pattern sometimes referred to as an Upsert.

I recommend this: Insert or Update pattern for Sql Server - Sam Saffron

For a procedure that will be dealing with single rows, either these transactions would work well:

Sam Saffron's First Solution (Adapted for this schema):

begin tran
if exists (
  select * 
    from mytable with (updlock,serializable) 
    where col_a = @val_a
      and col_b = @val_b
      and col_c = @val_c
  )
  begin
    update mytable
      set col_d = @val_d
      where col_a = @val_a
        and col_b = @val_b
        and col_c = @val_c;
  end
else
  begin
    insert into mytable (col_a, col_b, col_c, col_d)
      values (@val_a, @val_b, @val_c, @val_d);
  end
commit tran

Sam Saffron's Second Solution (Adapted for this schema):

begin tran
  update mytable with (serializable)
    set col_d = @val_d
      where col_a = @val_a
        and col_b = @val_b
        and col_c = @val_c;
  if @@rowcount = 0
    begin
        insert into mytable (col_a, col_b, col_c, col_d)
          values (@val_a, @val_b, @val_c, @val_d);
     end
commit tran

---

Even with a creative use of IGNORE_DUP_KEY, you'd still be stuck having to use an insert/update block or a merge statement.

• A creative use of IGNORE_DUP_KEY - Paul White @Sql_Kiwi

update mytable
  set col_d = 'val_d'
  where col_a = 'val_a'
    and col_b = 'val_b'
    and col_c = 'val_c';

insert into mytable (col_a, col_b, col_c, col_d)
  select 'val_a','val_b', 'val_c', 'val_d'
  where not exists (select * 
    from mytable with (serializable) 
    where col_a = 'val_a'
      and col_b = 'val_b'
      and col_c = 'val_c'
      );

---

The Merge answer provided by Spock should do what you want.

Merge isn't necessarily recommended. I use it, but I'd never admit that to @AaronBertrand.

• Use Caution with SQL Server's MERGE Statement - Aaron Bertrand

• Can I optimize this merge statement - Aaron Bertrand

• If you are using indexed views and MERGE, please read this! - Aaron Bertrand

• An Interesting MERGE Bug - Paul White

• UPSERT Race Condition With Merge