Multiple statements in one SQL-query, or use Batch?

Question

I'm sending a long list of updates to a database from a Java-program. I'm wondering if there's a speed difference between

• Putting all the updates in one query and execute that
• Making a preparedStatement, adding every update to the batch and executing the batch

Answer 1

Using PreparedStatement and batching would be the preferred approach. It reduces the network traffic between the client and the database server.

Answer 2

Yes it does! It will reduce the traffic between application and server.

I know you mentioned java but just as an example, this is a hint from a C# book Im reading :

NOTE FREE PERFORMANCE UPGRADE!
Setting UpdateBatchSize to 0 is a quick way to boost the update performance of the
DbDataAdapter object. (Setting the value to 0 instructs the DbDataAdapter object to create the largest possible batch size for changes)