Question

I’m having an sql error that i can’t work out. I have to update a table with a couple of joins. I tried doing it without an “in” clause, but that didnt’ work. Now with the in clause, here’s the query I have:

 UPDATE sc_module_architect 
    SET
    item_name="Print Cover Price"
    WHERE 
    item_id IN (
         SELECT a.item_id
         FROM sc_module_architect a
         LEFT JOIN sc_module_architect_category_links l on l.item_id=a.item_id
         LEFT JOIN sc_module_architect_category c on c.category_content_id=l.content_id
         LEFT JOIN sc_content sc on sc.content_id=l.content_id
         WHERE item_active=1
         AND content_name LIKE "ed_abc_print%"
         LIKE item_name LIKE "Cover Price%");

Now when running it I get the error

/* SQL Error (1093): You can't specify target table 'sc_module_architect' for update in FROM clause */

Can’t work out why this comes up. Any ideas? Mysql 5.5

Answer 1

You cant use table under update in subquery also simultaneously:

You need to follow below syntax:

update tablea JOIN tableb ..... SET columnname='yourvalue' where [....]

Try below:

update sc_module_architect as t1  LEFT JOIN  (select a.item_id
    from sc_module_architect a
    left join sc_module_architect_category_links l on l.item_id=a.item_id
    left join sc_module_architect_category c on c.category_content_id=l.content_id
    left join sc_content sc on sc.content_id=l.content_id
    where
    item_active=1
    and content_name like "ed_abc_print%"
    and item_name like "Cover Price%") as t2
    on t1.item_id=t2.itemid
    set
    t1.item_name="Print Cover Price"