SQLCMD only returns one row

Question

Using SQL Server's SQLCMD version 14.0.3456.2 NT on Windows.

I run this command:

sqlcmd -i D:\DATA\INT\BATCH\ENV_CHECK.SQL

Eventually, I want to run this command:

D:\DATA\INT\BATCH\ENV_CHECK.SQL -o D:\DATA\INT\LOGS\ENV_DB.SQL -h -1

but first things first.

This is a straight-up SELECT query. No loops. When I run the query in SSMS, after loading it directly from the source file, it returns 333 records in one second.

(333 rows affected)

Completion time: 2023-02-02T17:49:57.1346709-05:00

When I run it using SQLCMD , like this:

SET @CMD = 'sqlcmd ' + '-i '  + @BAT + ' -o ' + @FIL + ' -h -1'
PRINT 'CMD IS: ' + @CMD

EXEC @RTN_COD = master.dbo.xp_cmdshell @CMD

I get this message:

CMD IS: sqlcmd -i D:\DATA\INT\BATCH\ENV_CHECK.SQL

and it returns only one row. It always returns the same row. I've tried sorting the output to see if it will return a different row, but it does not. I've also tried returning more rows. The exact same row is always displayed, from somewhere in the middle of the pack.

The same thing happens whether I display on screen or if I write to a file. Same row.

I don't know where to go from here.

EDIT: in response to comments below

1. share the env_check.sql

   -- creates insert statements for db objects
   -- fingerprint function creates a unique value based on code text
   -- that allows comparison of versions in different environments
  select 'INSERT INTO STG.DBO.XX_ENV_STATUS VALUES ('
  + CHAR(39)
  + ENV 
  + CHAR(39)+', '+CHAR(39)
  + TYPE
  + CHAR(39)+', '+CHAR(39)
  + OBJ_NAME
  + CHAR(39)+', '+CHAR(39)
  + CAST(CALC AS VARCHAR(10)) 
  + CHAR(39) +');'
  FROM
      (select distinct 'TEST' ENV, A.TYPE TYPE,  substring(a.name, 1, 50) OBJ_NAME, 
      stg.dbo.XX_SP_FINGERPRINT(a.name) + stg.dbo.XX_VW_FINGERPRINT(a.name) + stg.dbo.XX_FN_FINGERPRINT(a.name) CALC
      from sysobjects a  --,
         --  syscomments b
     where 
      a.type IN ('P', 'V', 'FN')
     --'P' -- only stored procedures
     --'V' -- only views
     -- 'FN' -- only functions
     -- and a.id = b.id
       and left(a.name, 3) = 'XX_'
       AND LEFT(A.NAME,6)<> 'XX_R22'
    -- and a.name like '%XX_%'
    --   and b.text like ('%XX_%') 
    --ORDER BY A.TYPE,substring(a.name, 1, 50)
    ) X
    order by type, calc

SAMPLE OUTPUT

INSERT INTO STG.DBO.XX_ENV_STATUS VALUES ('TEST', 'FN', 'XX_VW_FINGERPRINT', '13736');

INSERT INTO STG.DBO.XX_ENV_STATUS VALUES ('TEST', 'FN', 'XX_SP_FINGERPRINT', '14187');

INSERT INTO STG.DBO.XX_ENV_STATUS VALUES ('TEST', 'FN', 'XX_FN_FINGERPRINT', '14208');

2. discrepancy in SET command vs. command executed

The short story is that I have two versions. The short one, to display to screen and the desired one that outputs to a file that will be loaded into the database. This AM, I added 5 second delay after delete in case that is the issue, it isn't.

    -- eventually, this will be a sql server job
 DECLARE @RTN_COD INT,
@BAT VARCHAR(300),
@FIL VARCHAR(300),
@CMD VARCHAR(300)

-- SET VARS
SET @BAT = 'D:\DATA\INT\BATCH\ENV_CHECK.SQL'
SET @FIL = 'D:\DATA\INT\LOGS\ENV_DB.SQL'

-- DEL PRIOR OUTPUT
SET @CMD = 'del /F /Q ' + @FIL
PRINT 'DELETE CMD IS: ' + @CMD
EXEC @RTN_COD = master.dbo.xp_cmdshell @CMD

-- GIVE DELETE SOME TIME
WAITFOR DELAY '00:00:05';

-- CREATE INSERT STATEMENTS
-- desired
SET @CMD = 'sqlcmd ' + '-i '  + @BAT + ' -o ' + @FIL + ' -h -1'
-- display
--SET @CMD = 'sqlcmd ' + '-i '  + @BAT -- + '" -h -1'

PRINT 'CMD IS: ' + @CMD
EXEC @RTN_COD = master.dbo.xp_cmdshell @CMD

3. what do i get using select top 30 * from sysobjects ?

I added that sql to the bottom of my file, commented the other SQL.

Interestingly, using SET @CMD = 'sqlcmd ' + '-i ' + @BAT -- + '" -h -1' I get all 30 records displayed, but I get them with a header (columns + underscores).

Using SET @CMD = 'sqlcmd ' + '-i ' + @BAT + ' -o ' + @FIL + ' -h -1' I get the same 30, except in a file and no headers, which is exactly what I want from my query.

When I reverse the commenting, and execute mine, I'm back to 1 record. The only difference seems to be one of simplicity. On a whim, I changed the fingerprint line, made it a static number. Same result, 1 line. Got rid of all the commented lines, same result, 1 line. Also, it's the same line each time. No change in output.

I tried turning simple query into one using a subquery select name, status, crdate, sysstat from (select top 30 * from sysobjects)T , same result, 30 lines.