I removed the "Order By" from the SQL statement.
The error relates to any record value that is being passed to the first SQL statement. i.e. "Incorrect syntax near Division Code'. The Division Code to be deleted and those that ought not be deleted.

On the web page the line that indicated *blow up here, is where the browser has highlighted the line of code.

If the record is in the ATTDivision table but not in ATTEmployee, then I need to delete that record otherwise notify the user that the deletion can not take place.

Ok. Count() is a SQL Aggregate function, it will count the number or rows for the specified column:

"SELECT Count(ATTDivision.DivisionCode) " & _
                          "FROM ATTDivision INNER JOIN " & _
                           "ATTEmployee ON ATTDivision.DivisionCode = ATTEmployee.DivisionCode " & _
                          "WHERE (ATTDivision.DivisionCode = '" & DivisionCode2.Text & " ') ")

So if the count statement here returns 0 it means that your query is returning 0 records.

Next you call the scalar value
Dim recordbedeleted As Boolean = (Convert.ToInt32(cmd.ExecuteScalar) = 0) Now I *assume* you are wanting to delete records from the table if there are no rows returned by your first query so if the scalar returns 0 recordbedeleted will become true otherwise false.

My suggestion is that if you are not getting the results you are expecting first test your SQL to verify what you *think* is coming back is actually the data that is coming back.

hth.

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Great!.
You understand completely, now I will test the first sql statement and hopefully 0 count will come back, at which time I again, hopefully, will be able to correctly delete the record.

HI,

Getting closer to the end and getting panicky, as I need to present in 1 1/2 hour.
The error was an extra "(" after the WHERE and before "ATTDivision").

Now that has been corrected, it does not stop processing. the correct record gets deleted as well as the incorrect record.

The 'Return' statement is in place.
If (Not ClientScript.IsStartupScriptRegistered("clientScri pt")) Then
                        ClientScript.RegisterClientScriptBlock(Me.GetType( ), "clientScript", strScript)
                        Return
                    End If

The DELETE statement only fires when the boolean value is true so the Return statement will NEVER fire because the else clause is never evaluated. I should also point out that using Return is a moot point because you are in an else clause where no database transactions take place. The else statement should be allowed to execute entirely.

If you are deleting incorrect records I imagine your WHERE clause of your delete statement is incorrect.

================================================== =========
Read this if you want to know how to get a correct reply for your question:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
================================================== =========
.: Wrox Technical Editor / Author :.
Wrox Books 24 x 7
================================================== =========