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What is the difference between a batch and a transaction in T-SQL, and how does the GO keyword relate to batches?

Intermediate

Answer

A batch is a group of one or more T-SQL statements sent to SQL Server together for parsing and execution as a single unit, separated using the GO keyword, which is actually a client tool command rather than real T-SQL, while a transaction is a separate concept controlling atomicity of data changes, and a single batch can contain zero, one, or several transactions within it.
DECLARE @Message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello';
PRINT @Message;
GO
-- This starts a new batch, and @Message is no longer in scope here
PRINT @Message; -- this would cause an error
Real-world example A developer troubleshooting a confusing error learns that a variable declared before a GO statement is not available afterward, since GO starts an entirely new batch with its own separate variable scope.

Common follow-ups: Why does a variable's scope end at a GO statement?;Can you use GO inside a stored procedure definition?

Transactions & ACID;Stored Procedures & Functions
All 7 T-SQL Fundamentals & Syntax questions