What is upsert meaning?

Upsert (sometimes spelled as "UPSERT") is a database operation that combines the functionalities of "update" and "insert" operations in a single statement, essentially updating a row if it already exists in the database or inserting it if it doesn't exist already. This operation is typically used in situations where a database table needs to be synchronized with new data from an external source.

Many modern databases, including Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and MySQL, include support for upsert operations in some form. The exact syntax for upsert operations can vary between databases, with some databases use syntax like "MERGE INTO" or "ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE" to handle upserts.

As a result of their flexible nature, upsert operations can be useful in a wide variety of use cases. They are commonly used in web application development, where data from user input needs to be stored in a database, but may be updated or recreated frequently. Upsert operations can help ensure that application data is consistent and up to date, while minimizing the complexity of managing database operations.