SQL Syntax

Figure 3.1 shows an example SQL statement. Be unconcerned about the meaning (semantics) of the statement; I’m using it to explain SQL syntax.

Figure 3.1. An SQL statement, with comment.

  1. Comment. A comment is optional text that you type on a separate line of your program to explain it. Two hyphens introduce a comment, which the DBMS ignores. Comments continue to the end of the line.

  2. SQL statement. An SQL statement is a valid combination of tokens introduced by a keyword. Tokens are the basic indivisible particles of the SQL language; they can’t be reduced grammatically. Tokens include keywords, identifiers, operators, literals, and ...

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