Basic SQL script

Question

So, I have to write a sql script to update 2 values on the same columns with a different ID from an ITEM table. Here is what I write:

UPDATE       ITEM
SET          ArtistName = 'Rex Baker'
WHERE        ItemNumber = 2
     AND     ItemNumber = 4;

However, it does not work at all. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong ? and how can I fix it ? Thank you

what you are saying is that the item must have an ItemNumber of 2 AND 4... rather than 2 OR 4. — Squirrel5853
– Squirrel5853, Commented Oct 4, 2013 at 8:06
I figured out how to do it. Basically, in the WHERE clause, I should put ItemNumber IN (2, 4); — Hoang Minh
– Hoang Minh, Commented Oct 4, 2013 at 8:08
@Secret Squirrel: So you can say OR instead of AND, and it works ? PS: I tried OR and it works too ;) — Hoang Minh
– Hoang Minh, Commented Oct 4, 2013 at 8:08
@user2383193 The AND means that both conditions have to be met at the same time. WHERE (ItemNumber = 2 AND ItemNumber = 4) is an equivalent of your version. So, your item number will never have 2 different values on the same row, and thus nothing will happen in your script. I hope this shed some light on the question. — Radu Gheorghiu
– Radu Gheorghiu, Commented Oct 4, 2013 at 8:09
@user2383193 Using OR means that ONLY 1 condition has to be met by the record. So, if your row has either 2 or 4 in their ItemNumber column, then it will get updated. — Radu Gheorghiu
– Radu Gheorghiu, Commented Oct 4, 2013 at 8:12

juergen d · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-04 08:03:37Z

8

Use or or in

UPDATE   ITEM
SET      ArtistName = 'Rex Baker'
WHERE    ItemNumber = 2
OR       ItemNumber = 4;

UPDATE   ITEM
SET      ArtistName = 'Rex Baker'
WHERE    ItemNumber IN (2,4);

answered Oct 4, 2013 at 8:03

juergen d

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