SQL in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition

SQL Platform Support

Table 3-1 provides a listing of the SQL statements, the platforms that support them, and the degree to which they support them. The following list offers useful tips for reading Table 3-1, as well as what each abbreviation stands for. The sections that follow describe the commands from the table in detail:

1. The first column contains the alphabetized SQL commands.

2. The SQL statement class for each command is indicated in the second column.

3. The subsequent columns list the vendor’s level of support:

Supported (S)

The platform supports the SQL2003 standard for the particular command.

Supported, with variations (SWV)

The platform supports the SQL2003 standard for the particular command, using vendor-specific code or syntax.

Supported, with limitations (SWL)

The platform supports some but not all of the functions specified by the SQL2003 standard for the particular command.

Not supported (NS)

The platform does not support the particular command according to the SQL2003 standard.

Remember that even if a specific SQL2003 command is listed as “Not supported,” the platform usually has alternative coding or syntax to enact the same command or function. Therefore, be sure to read the discussion and examples for each command later in this chapter. Likewise, a few of the commands in Table 3-1 are not found in the SQL2003 standard, and these have been indicated with the term “Non-ANSI” under the heading “SQL2003 class” in the table.

Conversely, a few ANSI commands in the table (such as ...