SLEEP (TSQL Statement)

sleeps for the specified number of seconds.

Syntax

SLEEP seconds

Arguments

seconds

is the number of seconds to sleep. It can be a fractional number, e.g. 10.5 for 10 seconds and a half.

• The max value for seconds is 600 (10 minutes).

Remarks

This statement doesn’t exist in MS SQL Server, which implements the equivalent WAITFOR DELAY.

The statement SLEEP is essentially used for learning purpose. As all locks are retained until the script terminates, we can study them and investigate their effects.

Examples

SLEEP 10;    -- sleeps for 10 seconds

SLEEP 10.5;  -- sleeps for 10.5 seconds