mysql if statement not working- getting syntax error

Question

I'm getting error near the if statement...don't know why

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'if @a=0 then select @a' at line 1

set @a = (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM hi where x=33 and y=-4);

if @a = 0 then select @a;
end if;

"Getting syntax error" is not a problem description unless you also include the error message you're getting, so we know what the error is. You have that information right in front of you - there is absolutely no reason for you to fail to include it in your question. — Ken White
– Ken White, Commented Jun 24, 2014 at 22:37

Bohemian · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-24 22:51:08Z

2

You can't use if like that as plain sql, but you can refactor it to a insert into select ... and apply the condition in the where clause:

insert into hi (x,y)
select * from (select '33', '-4') x
where @a = 0

See demo of the select part

edited Jun 24, 2014 at 22:51

answered Jun 24, 2014 at 22:43

Bohemian♦

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3 Comments

airnet Over a year ago

What does the x do at the end of the select statement ?

airnet Over a year ago

And the second select is a subquery right ? , but not sure what it's doing

Bohemian Over a year ago

The 'x' is an alias that names the result of the subquery query - effectively given the table of results a name do you can refer to it like it was a real table. It's required by SQL syntax, whether or not you refer to it. The inner subquery is required to allow a where clause to be used, because to have a "where" you must have a "from". However, you can have a "select" without a "from", so by using an inner query you can select constant values, then by wrapping it up as a table you can use apply a where.

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