August 12, 2009

SQL SERVER: Check if Node exists in XML or not






Today, I have one requirement to check dynamically if a node exists in my xml or NOT.

I have a stored procedure that receives XML and I need to check if the message information xml contains one Node or NOT. If that node exists then I need to execute that Stored Procedure by different logic and if not it should run with different logic.

I figure it out by using EXISTS.

This is my XML, that I got as parameter.

DECLARE @ExportData  XML
SELECT @ExportData =
'<Data Number="A123">
  <BulkData>
    <EachData Parts="Test1" />
    <EachData Parts="Test2" />
    <EachData Parts="Test3" />
  </BulkData>
</Data>'
Now I need to check if "BulkData" node exists in XML, then I need to write different logic to get the result.
So, I used this

SELECT @ExportData.exist('(//BulkData)')
This will return "1" if node is exists else return "0".

That's it. I can write based on the return result by this statement.

Let me know if it helps you.

Reference : Tejas Shah(http://www.SQLYoga.com)