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To ensure clarity in the SQL syntax examples and pseudo-code, the typographical conventions that follow are used throughout the local SQL help.
Each topic contains a pseudo-code prototype of an SQL statement or part of a statement that demonstrates the language element discussed. These prototype examples appear at the beginning of topics. Actual SQL statements appear within topics that demonstrate actual use of the language element discussed. Both the prototype and example statements appear in Courier New font.
While the local SQL language itself is case-insensitive (language elements and metadata object names), examples in this help file use the following convention to differentiate between language and metadata objects. All language elements appear in uppercase. Metadata names appear in lowercase. Correlation names appear in mixed case.
Language elements that are available, but that do not have to be used with an SQL statement for the statement to be valid appear in prototype syntax examples in brakets ([ and ]). For example, in the line below, the DISTINCT keyword is optional.
SELECT [DISTINCT] *
When there is a choice between one of a number of possible syntax elements, such choices will be listed in prototype syntax examples separated by the vertical bar character (|). Unless also enclosed in brackets to make the group of choices optional, one of the group of choices must be used in the statement. In the prototype syntax example below, the SQL statement may include either the ASC or the DESC keyword, but not both. Because the list of choices (ASC and DESC) is enclosed in brackets, use of either keyword is optional.
ORDER BY column_reference [ASC | DESC]
Note: Do not mistake the choice typographical symbol for the concatenation function, defined as two vertical bar characters together (||).