Basic SQl syntax error

Question

I'm trying to write a basic query that changes a "post type" for any posts that contain the word "releases" in their post title.

The query I've written comes up with a syntax error, and I'm uncertain as to where I've gone wrong.

UPDATE TABLE wp_posts SET post_type = "release" WHERE post_title = "%RELEASE%";

In SQL double quotes are for delimited identifiers (e.g. "columnname"). Use single quotes for string literals. Also, do LIKE '%RELEASE%'. — jarlh
– jarlh, Commented Dec 15, 2015 at 8:13

Radu Gheorghiu · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-15 08:24:59Z

1

Change your query to:

UPDATE wp_posts 
SET post_type = 'release' 
WHERE post_title LIKE '%release%';

The syntax error comes from the additional "TABLE" keyword, which is not required.

answered Dec 15, 2015 at 8:24

Radu Gheorghiu

20.6k16 gold badges78 silver badges113 bronze badges

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

Comments

Mircea Movila · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-15 08:25:13Z

1

UPDATE wp_posts SET post_type = 'release' WHERE CHARINDEX('RELEASE', post_title) > 0

OR

UPDATE wp_posts SET post_type = 'release' WHERE post_title LIKE '%RELEASE%'

answered Dec 15, 2015 at 8:25

Mircea Movila

1016 bronze badges

4 Comments

Haris Over a year ago

Give some explanation along with your answer, it will help the OP.

shanDB Over a year ago

Thanks for contributing - Although I must admit I already tried the answer posted before yours. So as yet, this is untested by myself.

Mircea Movila Over a year ago

Sorry @Haris, I'm new at this :) . The first Update's condition is using CHARINDEX(text_to_find, column_to_search_in) and it returns int (the position where it finds the text_to_find in the text from column_to_search_in). The second Update uses LIKE (when I was writing it, Radu Gheorghiu already answered.

Mircea Movila Over a year ago

No problem @shanDB. You will probably get the chance to use CHARINDEX in other queries.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Basic SQl syntax error

2 Answers 2

Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related