Answer
The OUTPUT clause returns affected rows without re-querying the table. It is efficient for:
- Auditing changes
- Logging
- Data replication
Quick Answer
The OUTPUT clause returns rows affected by INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or MERGE — directly from the statement without an extra SELECT. For auditing: INSERT INTO AuditLog SELECT * FROM deleted in a delete's OUTPUT clause captures exactly what was removed, atomically in the same transaction, with no separate read needed.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ