let's say I have a mapping table with columns A', B' and C'

and let's say I have a data table with columns, A, B, C, D, E, F

Now, what I want to do is update the data table with C' if A=A' and
B=B'

How can I do that? I am using MS-SQL 2000, but this must be a fairly
generic query.

I feel that your descriptions have some unusual notation and vague
requirements.
1) Usually, column name can't contain quotation mark(').
I think that it would be better to say(for example) column Am, Bm
and Cm(or simply A, B and C) instead of A', B' and C'.
2) You wrote "update the data table with C'". But, you didn't say what
column(s) of data table and how.
(Perhaps you want replace the value of column C with C'. But, you
didn't wrote that explicitly, it is only my guess. Your requirement
may be completely different.)
3) How to join rows?
Because you wrote "if A=A' and B=B'", while A and A' are columns of
different tables.
So, in my opinion, it is neccesary to define corresponding rows of
mapping table and data table.
(One popular and simple way is by join conditions.)

Considering those issues, I used my imagination as possible as I can,
then rewrited your requirement as followings.
Assuming these boldly and too imaginary assumption would be right,
following may be an answer.
(If some of these asuumptions are not match with your requirement, I'm
sorry.
I hope you pointed out my misunderstandings and state more clearly
with your word.)
UPDATE data_table d
SET C = COALESCE((SELECT m.C
FROM mapping_table m
WHERE m.A=d.A and m.B=d.B
)
,d.C
);

or

MERGE INTO data_table d
USING mapping_table m
ON d.A=m.A and d.B=m.B
WHEN MATCHED THEN
UPDATE SET C = m.C;

(I don't know so much about MS-SQL Server 2000. So, it may be
necessary some modifications.)

On Aug 7, 3:07 pm, Tonkuma <tonk... (AT) fiberbit (DOT) net> wrote:

Yes, that is what I meant.
Thank you very much.

-- Terrence