SQL EXECUTE

What is SQL EXECUTE?

Runs a prepared statement or dynamic SQL command on the server.

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Compatible dialects for SQL EXECUTE: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle (via EXECUTE IMMEDIATE in PL/SQL), SQLite (via API not keyword)

SQL EXECUTE Full Explanation

EXECUTE is used to invoke a statement that has already been prepared with PREPARE or to run dynamic SQL contained in a variable or string. In PostgreSQL, EXECUTE name [(parameter [, ...])]; executes a previously prepared statement within the current session, allowing parameter substitution and benefiting from the server-side execution plan. Within PL/pgSQL, EXECUTE 'sql_string' USING param_list runs dynamically generated SQL at runtime. Other systems adopt similar behavior: MySQL pairs EXECUTE stmt_name USING @var_list; with PREPARE, while SQL Server uses EXECUTE (or the shorthand EXEC) to run stored procedures or a Transact-SQL command built as a string. Because the statement is executed on the server, it inherits the privileges, transaction scope, and error handling of the surrounding session or block. The prepared statement must exist, parameter counts and types must match, and the caller must have permission to execute it. When used against user-supplied input, always bind parameters instead of string concatenation to avoid SQL injection.

SQL EXECUTE Syntax

-- PostgreSQL (prepared statement)
EXECUTE prepared_statement_name [(param1 [, param2 ...])];

-- PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL dynamic SQL
EXECUTE format('SELECT * FROM %I WHERE id = $1', tbl_name) USING record_id;

-- MySQL
EXECUTE prepared_stmt_name USING @var1, @var2;

-- SQL Server
EXECUTE dbo.uspGetOrders @CustomerID = 5;
EXECUTE('SELECT COUNT(*) FROM dbo.Orders WHERE status = ''OPEN''');

SQL EXECUTE Parameters

prepared_statement_name (text) - The identifier returned by PREPARE
paramN (any) - Value passed to each placeholder in the prepared statement
string_to_execute (text) - (PL/pgSQL / T-SQL) The SQL command to run at runtime

Example Queries Using SQL EXECUTE

-- 1. PostgreSQL: prepare once, run often
PREPARE get_user(integer) AS
  SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1;

EXECUTE get_user(42);
EXECUTE get_user(99);

-- 2. PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL dynamic table name
DECLARE
  tbl text := 'events_2024_05';
  rec_count integer;
BEGIN
  EXECUTE format('SELECT COUNT(*) FROM %I', tbl) INTO rec_count;
END;

-- 3. MySQL dynamic execution
PREPARE stmt FROM 'UPDATE accounts SET active = ? WHERE id = ?';
SET @flag = 1, @acct = 17;
EXECUTE stmt USING @flag, @acct;

-- 4. SQL Server stored procedure call
EXECUTE dbo.uspCreateInvoice @CustomerID = 12, @Amount = 125.00;

Expected Output Using SQL EXECUTE

The server runs the supplied prepared statement or dynamic SQL
It returns the result set or number of affected rows just as if the statement were issued directly

Use Cases with SQL EXECUTE

Reusing expensive queries without recompilation
Building flexible routines that substitute table names or conditions at runtime
Calling stored procedures with parameters
Avoiding SQL injection by separating preparation from execution

Common Mistakes with SQL EXECUTE

Forgetting to PREPARE before EXECUTE (PostgreSQL/MySQL)
Supplying the wrong number or type of parameters
Concatenating user input into the SQL string instead of using bound parameters
Assuming EXECUTE commits automatically (it obeys current transaction state)

First Introduced In

SQL-92 (Prepared statements)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PREPARE and EXECUTE?

PREPARE defines the SQL statement and assigns it a name. EXECUTE runs that precompiled statement with optional parameters.

Can I pass table names as parameters to EXECUTE?

In most engines you cannot bind identifiers. Use dynamic SQL (e.g., EXECUTE format(...)) to safely inject table names.

Is EXECUTE available in MySQL?

Yes. MySQL supports PREPARE statement, EXECUTE, and DEALLOCATE PREPARE to run server-side prepared SQL.

Does EXECUTE improve performance?

Often yes. The query planner can reuse the compiled plan of a prepared statement, reducing parse and planning time for repeated executions.