> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://coldbox-orm.ortusbooks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://coldbox-orm.ortusbooks.com/v1.x/base-orm-service/executequery.md).

# executeQuery

Allows the execution of HQL queries using several nice arguments and returns either an array of entities or a query as specified by the asQuery argument. The params filtering can be using named or positional.

## Returns

* This function returns *any*

## Arguments

| Key        | Type    | Required | Default               | Description                          |
| ---------- | ------- | -------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| query      | string  | Yes      | ---                   |                                      |
| params     | any     | No       | \[runtime expression] |                                      |
| offset     | numeric | No       | 0                     |                                      |
| max        | numeric | No       | 0                     |                                      |
| timeout    | numeric | No       | 0                     |                                      |
| asQuery    | boolean | No       | true                  |                                      |
| unique     | boolean | No       | false                 | Return a unique result               |
| datasource | string  | No       | ---                   | Use a specific or default datasource |

## Examples

```javascript
// simple query
ormService.executeQuery( "select distinct a.accountID from Account a" );
// using with list of parameters
ormService.executeQuery( "select distinct e.employeeID from Employee e where e.department = ? and e.created > ?", ['IS','01/01/2010'] );
// same query but with paging
ormService.executeQuery( "select distinct e.employeeID from Employee e where e.department = ? and e.created > ?", ['IS','01/01/2010'],1,30);

// same query but with named params and paging
ormService.executeQuery( "select distinct e.employeeID from Employee e where e.department = :dep and e.created > :created", {dep='Accounting',created='01/01/2010'],10,20);

// GET FUNKY!!
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://coldbox-orm.ortusbooks.com/v1.x/base-orm-service/executequery.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.