[mysql] Delimiters in MySQL

You define a DELIMITER to tell the mysql client to treat the statements, functions, stored procedures or triggers as an entire statement. Normally in a .sql file you set a different DELIMITER like $$. The DELIMITER command is used to change the standard delimiter of MySQL commands (i.e. ;). As the statements within the routines (functions, stored procedures or triggers) end with a semi-colon (;), to treat them as a compound statement we use DELIMITER. If not defined when using different routines in the same file or command line, it will give syntax error.

Note that you can use a variety of non-reserved characters to make your own custom delimiter. You should avoid the use of the backslash (\) character because that is the escape character for MySQL.

DELIMITER isn't really a MySQL language command, it's a client command.

Example

DELIMITER $$

/*This is treated as a single statement as it ends with $$ */
DROP PROCEDURE IF EXISTS `get_count_for_department`$$

/*This routine is a compound statement. It ends with $$ to let the mysql client know to execute it as a single statement.*/ 
CREATE DEFINER=`student`@`localhost` PROCEDURE `get_count_for_department`(IN the_department VARCHAR(64), OUT the_count INT)
BEGIN
    
    SELECT COUNT(*) INTO the_count FROM employees where department=the_department;

END$$

/*DELIMITER is set to it's default*/
DELIMITER ;