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BREAK (Transact-SQL)

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Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW) SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric SQL database in Microsoft Fabric

BREAK exits the current WHILE loop. If the current WHILE loop is nested inside another, BREAK exits only the current loop, and control is given to the next statement in the outer loop.

BREAK is usually inside an IF statement.

Examples

Example for SQL Server

Imagine a table where a value is expected when another antecedent process is completed:

SQL 
WHILE (1=1)
BEGIN
   IF EXISTS (SELECT * FROM ##MyTempTable WHERE EventCode = 'Done')
   BEGIN
      BREAK;  -- 'Done' row has finally been inserted and detected, so end this loop.
   END

   PRINT N'The other process is not yet done.';  -- Re-confirm the non-done status to the console.
   WAITFOR DELAY '00:01:30';  -- Sleep for 90 seconds.
END

Example for Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pool

SQL 
DECLARE @sleeptimesec int = 1;
DECLARE @startingtime datetime2(2) = getdate();

PRINT N'Sleeping for ' + CAST(@sleeptimesec as varchar(5)) + ' seconds'
WHILE (1=1)
BEGIN
  
    PRINT N'Sleeping.';  
    PRINT datediff(s, getdate(),  @startingtime)

    IF datediff(s, getdate(),  @startingtime) < -@sleeptimesec
        BEGIN
            PRINT 'We have finished waiting.';
            BREAK;
        END
END

See Also