Using execSQL for INSERT operation in Android SQLite

Question

From the documentation and this post I know execSQL() executes a single SQL statement that is not a SELECT or any other SQL statement that returns data. It is also mentioned that execSQL() should not be used for inserting.

But I'm using execSQL() for inserting like:

db.execSQL("INSERT INTO LIST VALUES('খবর');"); //where LIST is a table

This is working perfectly for me (there is no SELECT statement with this INSERT), but I was told not to use this here.

So, my question is: does the INSERT statement return a value even though there is no SELECT statement attached to it?

try this example with code blazin.in/2016/02/understanding-sqlite-database-in-android.html — Bhushan Shirsath
– Bhushan Shirsath, Commented Feb 29, 2016 at 13:38

Barak · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-09 15:42:56Z

4

You can use it, it is just not recommended because you won't receive any information that might be generated by the DB. The methods you are supposed to use return codes/cursors/other info to let you know what happened so you can deal with them if there is a problem.

The key is this line in the execSQL docs:

It has no means to return any data (such as the number of affected rows). Instead, you're encouraged to use insert...

The important word there is "encouraged". You can use execSQL for any SQL command, but you get no feedback on the process, which makes it rather dangerous to use for something where you should get feedback (unless you don't care than an insert failed, or only 2 of 5 records got updated).

answered May 9, 2012 at 15:42

Barak

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-09 15:51:53Z

1

INSERT statements do not return result sets, at least not in Sqlite.

The Android docs says this about execSQL:

Execute a single SQL statement that is NOT a SELECT or any other SQL statement that returns data. It has no means to return any data (such as the number of affected rows). Instead, you're encouraged to use insert(String, String, ContentValues), update(String, ContentValues, String, String[]), et al, when possible.

I am not an Android programmer, but I would certainly not be encouraged to use the insert function instead of execSQL, except if I want to retrieve the rowid of the inserted record. Furthermore, the quoted explanation is at best confusing as it implies that insert could return some data.

Note that it's possible that there is some side effect that would make insert a better choice than execSQL, or that "best practices" dictate you use insert.

edited May 9, 2012 at 15:51

answered May 9, 2012 at 15:43

user610650

5 Comments

Imran Rana Over a year ago

does INSERT statement that contains a SELECT statement like : INSERT INTO suppliers (supplier_id, supplier_name) SELECT account_no, name FROM customers WHERE city = 'Newark'; returns value?

user610650 Over a year ago

No; "INSERT INTO .. SELECT ..." is an INSERT statement just as "INSERT INTO ... VALUES ..." is.

Imran Rana Over a year ago

I think the SELECT statement returns value which is used by INSERT statement IMHO.

user610650 Over a year ago

You asked about the INSERT statement: "does INSERT statement ... returns a value?"

WonderWorker Over a year ago

No. The INSERT Statement does not return a value

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