Purpose of GO in SQL Procedure

Purpose of GO in the SQL Procedure

The GO command is not a standard SQL statement but is a batch separator used by tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and sqlcmd. It helps organize the script into executable sections.

What Does GO Do?

• Ends the current batch of commands.
• Sends the completed batch to the SQL Server for execution.
• Starts a new batch after execution.

Note: GO is interpreted by client tools and is not part of T-SQL itself.

Why It's Used in This Procedure

USE [Book]
GO

SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO

CREATE OR ALTER PROCEDURE ...
AS
BEGIN
    ...
END
    

• GO separates database selection, session settings, and procedure creation.
• Ensures settings like SET ANSI_NULLS and SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER are applied before compiling the procedure.
• Helps tools process commands in the correct order.

Why Separating Batches Matters

• Scope of settings: Session settings apply at compile time and need to be active during procedure creation.
• Execution order: The database must be set before applying settings and creating objects.
• Error isolation: Errors in one batch don't affect others.
• Tool compatibility: Client tools expect batches to be clearly defined with GO.

Summary

• GO is a batch separator, not an SQL command.
• It ensures database selection and settings are applied correctly before creating procedures.
• It helps organize scripts for readability and proper execution by SQL Server tools.