Exists Statement Error

[vbjohn]

Can anyone help me figure this out? Why can I not use this variable.

I get this error for the second one I try: Server: Msg 170, Level 15, State 1, Line 31
Line 31: Incorrect syntax near '@NewICDB_NAME'.


DECLARE @curName VARCHAR(200)
DECLARE @NewICDB_NAME VARCHAR(200)

SET @curName = "Master" <-- I just hardcoded this for this example. This usually varies.

SET @NewICDB_NAME = 'SELECT * FROM ' + @curName + '.dbo.IC0001'

--> Error here
I tried ->IF Not EXISTS (EXEC(@NewICDB_NAME))
I tried ->IF Not EXISTS (@NewICDB_NAME)

BEGIN
SELECT 'The column does not exist'
END
ELSE BEGIN
SELECT 'The column exists'
END