SQL Server: How to abort a series of batches in Query Analyzer?

Question

i have a series of T-SQL statements separated by the special Query Analyzer batch separator keyword:

GO

If one batch fails, i need Query Analyzer to not try subsequent batches - i want it to stop processing the series of batches.

For example:

PRINT 'This runs'
go

SELECT 0/0, 'This causes an error'
go

PRINT 'This should not run'
go

Output:

This runs
Server: Msg 8134, Level 16, State 1, Line 2
Divide by zero error encountered.
This should not run

Possible?

---

Update

An example of this in real use might be:

 sp_rename 'Shelby', 'Kirsten'
 go

 DROP VIEW PeekAView
 go

 CREATE VIEW PeekAViewAS 
 SELECT * FROM Kirsten
 go

Answer 1

Here is how I'd do it:

PRINT 'This runs'
go

SELECT 0/0, 'This causes an error'
go
if (@@error <> 0)
    Begin
    set nocount on
    set noexec on
    End
GO

PRINT 'This should not run'
go

set noexec off
set nocount off
GO

The "noexec" mode puts SSMS is a state where it just compiles the T-SQL and doesn't actually execute it. It is similar to accidentally pressing the Parse toolbar button (Ctrl+F5) instead of Execute (F5).

Don't forget to turn noexec back off at the end of your script. Otherwise users are going to get confused by permanent "Command(s) completed successfully." messages.

I use the check against @@error in the subsequent batch instead of using TRY CATCH blocks. Using @@error in the next batch will catch compile errors, like "table doesn't exist".

In addition to the noexec mode, I also toggle the nocount mode. With noexec mode on and nocount off, your queries will still report a message "(0 rows(s) affected)". The message always reports zero rows, because you're in noexec mode. However, turning nocount on suppresses these messages.

Also note that if running SQL Server 2005 the command you are skipping might still give error messages if it references a table that doesn't exist and the command if the first command in the batch. Forcing the command to be the second command in the batch with a bogus Print statement can suppress this. See MS Bug #569263 for more details.

Answer 2

You can activate the "Query, SQLCMD Mode" menu option and place the following at the beginning of the script:

:on error exit

This will stop execution when an error occurs, even if there are subsequent batches.

Just make sure that you don't accidentally run the script without SQLCMD mode on because you will get the typical behavior where errors are ignored.

Answer 3

When I need to do this, I issue a RAISERROR of severity 20. This, or higher, will kill the current connection, and prevent subsequent "GO batches" from executing. Yes, it can be awkward, but it does the job.

Answer 4

Create a temporary table; and update it after each step (if successful); and then check the success of the previous step by validating against the table.

create table #ScriptChecker (SuccessfullStep int)

-- Do Step One
Insert into #ScriptChecker
Select 1

-- Step 2
If exists (select * from #ScriptChecker where SuccessfullStep = 1)
-- Do Step 2 ...