Understanding Single quotes within a SELECT statement
This is for newbies who struggle to understand how single quotes work in SQL Server
I have seen newbies worrying why the following doesnt work
SELECT columns from mytable where col ='Lifco's'
When you specify a value which has single quote, you need to double it
SELECT columns from mytable where col ='Lifco''s'
The following may be helpful
(Run and see the result)
SELECT '','''','''''','''''''',''''''''''
When you use a static sql and express a value in a single quote then first and last sigle quotes specify that the value is a string. Then within those single quotes every double single quotes represent a single single quote
When you use a Dynamic sql then first and last sigle quotes specify that it is a dynamic sql. Then within those single quotes every double single quotes specify that it is a string.Then within those single quotes every four single quotes represent a single single quote
Run and see the result
EXEC
('SELECT '''','''''''','''''''''''','''''''''''''''',''''''''''''''''''''')