Re: best way to conditionally insert a row

Mark Harrison wrote:
> I would like to insert a row into a table, but only
> if the primary key does not exist.
>
> For example, if I have a table "keywords" with
> columns "name" and "val", I would like
>
> insert into keywords (name, val) values ('color', 'blue');
>
> to happen only if there is not already a row where
> name='color'.
>
> What is the best way to do this?
>
> Many TIA!
> Mark

Another option might be to use the MERGE statement. Normally, this is used to INSERT values on some conditions and UPDATE on others. But you omit the WHEN MATCHED UPDATE clause and just do the INSERT.

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14200/statements_9016.htm#i2081218

This option is only available in Oracle 9i and higher.

HTH,
Brian

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Brian Peasland
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