What are the limitations of multi-row inserts in MySQL?

Multi-Row Inserts in MySQL: Exploring Limits

The ability to insert multiple rows in a single INSERT statement offers efficiency and convenience. However, the question remains: how extensive can this insertion process be? Is it constrained by the number of value sets or the sheer size of the INSERT statement?

Value Set Independence

Surprisingly, the number of value sets, the data itself, plays no role in determining the limitations of multi-row insertions. MySQL allows for unbounded row insertions within a single statement, as long as the pattern follows the INSERT ... SELECT pattern. This implies that the data can be sourced from existing tables, either fully or partially.

INSERT ... VALUES Pattern: Size Matters

However, when using the INSERT ... VALUES pattern, which explicitly defines the values for each row, a size constraint enters the picture. MySQL imposes a limit on the length of SQL statements sent from client to server, known as max_allowed_packet. This limitation applies to all SQL queries, including INSERT statements, and its primary purpose is to prevent excessively lengthy statements that could potentially overload the server.

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