strange syntax error in t-sql

Question

I am trying to write a query that deletes records from one table and outputs the deleted records into another similar (but not identical) table.

This code is what I am trying to do:

delete from MyServer.dbo.t1
output deleted.colA into MyServer.dbo.t2.colA

It raises the error, could not find server 'MyServer' in sys.servers.

However, I am able to run this (basically no-op) code (using a valid server name):

delete from MyServer.dbo.t1
output deleted.* into MyServer.dbo.t1

So basically t-sql's error message does not seem to make sense--so I am not sure what to do.

why is t-sql throwing this weird error? why can it "see" MyServer in sys.servers sometimes but not other time?
what is the correct syntax for outputting deleted values for particular columns into new tables

cjk · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-04 16:12:16Z

1

When you use 3 . in your syntax, you are specifying server.database.schema.table. You are trying to add column on the end which does not work. Get rid of the .colA.

answered Feb 4, 2013 at 16:12

cjk

46.6k9 gold badges83 silver badges113 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

bernie2436 Over a year ago

thanks! how do I specify the column name without the "three dot" syntax? When I just remove column A as you suggest, I get column name or number of supplied values does not match table definition because the source table has many more columns than the target table

cjk Over a year ago

Unfortunately it is a limitation of what you are trying to do, you have to insert into a table that matches the schema you are pulling out.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

strange syntax error in t-sql

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related