Batch/procedure exceeds maximum length of %d characters

 Batch/procedure exceeds maximum length of %d characters throws with SQL server error code 123.

When you encounter the SQL Server error message "Batch/procedure exceeds maximum length of %d characters," it indicates that the batch or stored procedure you are trying to execute is too long. The maximum length for a batch or stored procedure in SQL Server is 65,536 characters.

Here are steps to resolve this issue:

1. Split the Batch or Procedure

Divide your large procedure into smaller, more manageable procedures. Then, call these smaller procedures from a main procedure.

Example

Original Large Procedure

CREATE PROCEDURE LargeProcedure
AS
BEGIN
    -- Very long SQL logic
END
GO

Splitting into Smaller Procedures

CREATE PROCEDURE Part1
AS
BEGIN
    -- Part 1 of the SQL logic
END
GO

CREATE PROCEDURE Part2
AS
BEGIN
    -- Part 2 of the SQL logic
END
GO

CREATE PROCEDURE LargeProcedure
AS
BEGIN
    EXEC Part1;
    EXEC Part2;
END
GO

2. Use Temporary Tables

Use temporary tables to store intermediate results. This can help in breaking down complex queries.

Example

CREATE PROCEDURE LargeProcedure
AS
BEGIN
    -- Part 1: Insert intermediate results into a temporary table
    SELECT * 
    INTO #TempTable
    FROM SomeLargeTable
    WHERE SomeCondition;

    -- Part 2: Process the data from the temporary table
    SELECT * 
    FROM #TempTable
    WHERE AnotherCondition;

    -- Drop the temporary table
    DROP TABLE #TempTable;
END
GO

3. Refactor Code

Review the code to eliminate redundant or unnecessary parts, and ensure it is optimized.

4. Use Functions

If there are reusable parts of the logic, consider moving them to functions.

Example

CREATE FUNCTION dbo.MyFunction(@Param INT)
RETURNS INT
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @Result INT;
    -- Some logic
    RETURN @Result;
END
GO

CREATE PROCEDURE LargeProcedure
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @Value INT;
    SET @Value = dbo.MyFunction(@SomeParam);
    -- Use @Value in further logic
END
GO

5. Dynamic SQL

For extremely complex queries, consider using dynamic SQL to construct parts of the query at runtime.

Example

CREATE PROCEDURE LargeProcedure
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @SQL NVARCHAR(MAX);
    SET @SQL = N'SELECT * FROM SomeTable WHERE SomeCondition';
    EXEC sp_executesql @SQL;
END
GO

By following these steps, you can manage the size of your SQL batches and procedures, ensuring they stay within the limits set by SQL Server