MySQL Multiple Row Inserts: UNION vs. Multi-Row INSERT - Which is More Efficient?

Inserting Multiple Rows into MySQL: Union vs. Multi-Row INSERT

One of the common tasks in database operations is inserting multiple rows of data into a table. A question arises whether it is more efficient to insert these rows individually or in a single query using the UNION operator. Let's explore both options.

Multi-Row INSERT Statement

MySQL provides a convenient way to insert multiple rows in a single query using the VALUES syntax. Each row is represented by a list of column values enclosed in parentheses. These lists are separated by commas and included after the INTO clause.

Example:

INSERT INTO tbl_name (a, b, c)
VALUES
    (1, 2, 3),
    (4, 5, 6),
    (7, 8, 9);

UNION Operator

The UNION operator combines two or more SELECT statements into a single result set. In the context of INSERT statements, it can be used to concatenate multiple INSERT queries into one.

However, it's worth noting that using UNION for inserting multiple rows is not recommended. It can lead to unnecessary overhead and reduced efficiency compared to the multi-row INSERT statement.

Conclusion

If you need to insert multiple rows into a MySQL table, it is generally faster and more efficient to use the multi-row INSERT statement. This approach allows you to insert all the rows in a single query, minimizing network traffic and reducing execution time. The UNION operator should not be used for inserting multiple rows due to potential performance issues.

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