---
title: "executeUpdate Method (java.lang.String, java.lang.String) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "01/19/2017"
ms.prod: "sql"
ms.prod_service: connectivity
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.suite: "sql"
ms.technology: connectivity
ms.tgt_pltfrm: ""
ms.topic: conceptual
apiname: 
  - "SQLServerStatement.executeUpdate (java.lang.String[])"
apilocation: 
  - "sqljdbc.jar"
apitype: "Assembly"
ms.assetid: 2f44a689-65c8-4c94-9574-e9c08ea7918e
caps.latest.revision: 13
author: MightyPen
ms.author: genemi
manager: craigg
---
# executeUpdate Method (java.lang.String, java.lang.String)
[!INCLUDE[Driver_JDBC_Download](../../../includes/driver_jdbc_download.md)]

  Runs the given SQL statement and signals [!INCLUDE[jdbcNoVersion](../../../includes/jdbcnoversion_md.md)] that the auto-generated keys indicated in the given array should be made available for retrieval.  
  
## Syntax  
  
```  
  
public final int executeUpdate(java.lang.String sql,  
                               java.lang.String[] columnNames)  
```  
  
#### Parameters  
 *sql*  
  
 A **String** that contains an SQL statement.  
  
 *columnNames*  
  
 An array of type **String** that indicates which column names of the auto-generated keys should be made available.  
  
## Return Value  
 An **int** that indicates the number of rows affected, 0 if using a DDL statement.  
  
## Exceptions  
 [SQLServerException](../../../connect/jdbc/reference/sqlserverexception-class.md)  
  
## Remarks  
 This executeUpdate method is specified by the executeUpdate method in the java.sql.Statement interface.  
  
 If executing a stored procedure results in an update count that is greater than one, or that generates more than one result set, use the [execute](../../../connect/jdbc/reference/execute-method-sqlserverstatement.md) method to execute the stored procedure.  
  
## See Also  
 [executeUpdate Method (SQLServerStatement)](../../../connect/jdbc/reference/executeupdate-method-sqlserverstatement.md)   
 [SQLServerStatement Members](../../../connect/jdbc/reference/sqlserverstatement-members.md)   
 [SQLServerStatement Class](../../../connect/jdbc/reference/sqlserverstatement-class.md)