Oracle SQL: the Essential Reference

Conventions Used in This Book

This book uses a number of standard conventions that let me clearly display the detailed syntax of SQL statements:

Constant width

Used to show syntax diagrams and the output of commands.

Contant width bold

Used to represent user input in examples that show user interaction.

Initial_Cap_Italics

Indicates a common element of SQL that is documented in Chapter 4. These elements usually end in "Clause," as in Storage_Clause.

lowercase italics

Indicates items that are replaced by actual values in a SQL statement.

UPPERCASE

Indicates keywords or components of SQL syntax.

Braces { }

Indicate that one item is required from the list provided within the braces. Items in the list are separated by vertical bars (|). Note that this list may be quite extensive and that a single item may include several keywords.

Ellipses (...)

Indicate that the previous keyword or group of keywords may be repeated as required.

Square brackets [ ]

Indicate that the item(s) enclosed within the square brackets are optional. Multiple optional items are separated by a vertical bar (|).

Underline

Indicates that the underlined keyword or value is the default.

column

The name of a column in a table.

column_list

The name of one or more columns in a table, separated by commas.

filename

The valid operating system name for a file, normally enclosed in single quotes.

integer

A whole number, such as 0, 1, 2, etc.

schema

The name of a collection of objects in the database, also called the user, ...