How can SQL output be structured in a column-based XML format instead of row-based?

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To output SQL data in a column-based XML format, you can use the FOR XML clause in your SQL query. By default, FOR XML outputs the data in a row-based XML format, but you can specify the COLUMN mode to output the data in a column-based format.

Here's an example SQL query that outputs data in a column-based XML format using FOR XML:

SELECT col1, col2, col3
FROM myTable
FOR XML PATH(''), ROOT('root'), ELEMENTS XSINIL, TYPE, XMLSCHEMA;

In the above query, the PATH('') clause concatenates the columns horizontally instead of vertically, and the ROOT('root') clause specifies the root element of the XML output. The ELEMENTS XSINIL clause includes null values in the output. The TYPE clause specifies that the output is in XML format. Finally, the XMLSCHEMA clause adds metadata to the output, describing the structure of the XML.

The resulting XML output will look something like this:

<root>
  <col1>value1</col1>
  <col2>value2</col2>
  <col3>value3</col3>
</root>