I always (with sql server at least) add a begin tran/commit/rollback before any prod statements, because of getting burned in the past. Even if you add the WHE

I always (with sql server at least) add a begin tran/commit/rollback before any prod statements, because of getting burned in the past. Even if you add the WHERE, but put it on a second line and only run the first, the transaction will help... Of course, if it's going to lock the data, do all of the statements together: BEGIN TRAN UPDATE ... WHERE ... SELECT ... WHERE .... -- show that the update worked ROLLBACK Then run the actual statement