Question

I am trying to write the following SQL.

declare @s varchar(max) = (
  with c as (select ...)
  select a, b, c, d, ....
  from ... join c on .... join c on .... join c on ....
  order by ...
  for xml raw('...'), elements
);

However, it’s incorrect syntax (The following shows the error message). Do I have to convert it to subqueries? I am trying to avoid to expand the CTE in multiple places.

Incorrect syntax near the keyword ‘with’. If this statement is a common table expression, an xmlnamespaces clause or a change tracking context clause, the previous statement must be terminated with a semicolon.

Update:
The for xml and order by makes select @s = ...

Answer 1

OK, I figured it out. It cannot be done in one declare and initialization statement.

declare @s varchar(max);

with c as (select 1 a union all select 2 union all select 3)
, x(s) as (select a from c order by a desc for xml raw('tr'), elements)
select @s = s from x