SQL Server guide

Partial update document (PATCH)


Updates only specified attributes using the PATCH method. Set RequestMethod to PATCH in WITH and supply a Document body with a JSON Patch operations array (e.g. set, add, remove, incr, move). Use when you need to change a few fields without sending the full document.

For operations and syntax see partial document update and REST API.

Standard SQL query example

This is the base query accepted by the connector. To execute it in SQL Server, you have to pass it to the Data Gateway via a Linked Server. See how to accomplish this using the examples below.

UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey='["user2"]'
,Document=
'{
  "operations": [
     { "op": "set", "path": "/name", "value": "updated name" }
	,{ "op": "set", "path": "/email", "value": "updated@email.com" }
  ]
}'
Where Id='user2'
WITH(
		RequestMethod='PATCH' --Partial Replace (change name and email only)
    )
	
/*
Example Document Operations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/partial-document-update
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cosmos-db/patch-a-document

[
  { "op": "add", "path": "/color", "value": "silver" },
  { "op": "remove", "path": "/used" },
  { "op": "set", "path": "/price", "value": 355.45 }
  { "op": "incr", "path": "/inventory/quantity", "value": 10 },
  { "op": "add", "path": "/tags/-", "value": "featured-bikes" },
  { "op": "move", "from": "/color", "path": "/inventory/color" }
]

*/

Using OPENQUERY in SQL Server

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_COSMOS_DB_IN_GATEWAY], 'UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey=''["user2"]''
,Document=
''{
  "operations": [
     { "op": "set", "path": "/name", "value": "updated name" }
	,{ "op": "set", "path": "/email", "value": "updated@email.com" }
  ]
}''
Where Id=''user2''
WITH(
		RequestMethod=''PATCH'' --Partial Replace (change name and email only)
    )
	
/*
Example Document Operations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/partial-document-update
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cosmos-db/patch-a-document

[
  { "op": "add", "path": "/color", "value": "silver" },
  { "op": "remove", "path": "/used" },
  { "op": "set", "path": "/price", "value": 355.45 }
  { "op": "incr", "path": "/inventory/quantity", "value": 10 },
  { "op": "add", "path": "/tags/-", "value": "featured-bikes" },
  { "op": "move", "from": "/color", "path": "/inventory/color" }
]

*/')

Using EXEC in SQL Server (handling larger SQL text)

The major drawback of OPENQUERY is its inability to incorporate variables within SQL statements. This often leads to the use of cumbersome dynamic SQL (with numerous ticks and escape characters).

Fortunately, starting with SQL 2005 and onwards, you can utilize the EXEC (your_sql) AT [LS_TO_COSMOS_DB_IN_GATEWAY] syntax.

DECLARE @MyQuery NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey=''["user2"]''
,Document=
''{
  "operations": [
     { "op": "set", "path": "/name", "value": "updated name" }
	,{ "op": "set", "path": "/email", "value": "updated@email.com" }
  ]
}''
Where Id=''user2''
WITH(
		RequestMethod=''PATCH'' --Partial Replace (change name and email only)
    )
	
/*
Example Document Operations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/partial-document-update
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cosmos-db/patch-a-document

[
  { "op": "add", "path": "/color", "value": "silver" },
  { "op": "remove", "path": "/used" },
  { "op": "set", "path": "/price", "value": 355.45 }
  { "op": "incr", "path": "/inventory/quantity", "value": 10 },
  { "op": "add", "path": "/tags/-", "value": "featured-bikes" },
  { "op": "move", "from": "/color", "path": "/inventory/color" }
]

*/'
EXEC (@MyQuery) AT [LS_TO_COSMOS_DB_IN_GATEWAY]