How to add attributes to xml nodes in sql server 2005 - sql

Question

If i wanted to add an attribute to the root element record, can i do this from the sql side?
SELECT top 1 'text' as nodeA
from test as z
FOR XML AUTO, ELEMENTS, root('record')
i would like to produce the xml like this:
<Root attribute="value">
<z>
<NodeA>text</NodeA>
</z>
</Root>

Answer 1

Use the new FOR XML PATH syntax:
SELECT TOP 1
'someValue' AS '#Attribute',
'text' as 'z/NodeA'
FROM dbo.Test
WHERE....
FOR XML PATH('YourElement'), ROOT('Root')
This would give something like
<Root>
<YourElement Attribute="someValue">
<z>
<NodeA>text</NodeA>
</z>
</YourElement>
</Root>
Read more about it here:
Simple Example of Creating XML File Using T-SQL
Using XML Serialization with SQL's FOR XML PATH

Answer 2

Your example is not doing what is requested.
request:
<Root attribute="someValue">
<YourElement>
<z>
<NodeA>text</NodeA>
</z>
</YourElement>
</Root>
your answer:
<Root>
<YourElement Attribute="someValue">
<z>
<NodeA>text</NodeA>
</z>
</YourElement>
</Root>
I'm doing something similar and using PowerShell to scrub the file before saving it:
scrub reason 1: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/265956/suppress-namespace-attributes-in-nested-select-for-xml-statements
scrub reason 2: THIS

Answer 3

SELECT
'someValue' AS '#Attribute',
(SELECT TOP 1
'text' as 'z/NodeA'
FROM dbo.Test
WHERE....
FOR XML PATH('YourElement')
)
FOR XML PATH('ROOT');
It should create a xml with ROOT containg attribute and list of ... inside.