Introduction
Welcome
to the SQL Command and Function Reference. DBMaker is a powerful and
flexible Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that supports
an interactive Structured Query Language (SQL), a Microsoft Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) compatible interface, and Embedded SQL for C (ESQL/C).
The unique open architecture and native ODBC interface give you the
freedom to build custom applications using a wide variety of programming
tools, or query your database using existing ODBC-compliant applications.
DBMaker
is easily scaleable from personal single-user databases to distributed
enterprise-wide databases. Regardless of the configuration you choose
for your database, the safety of your critical data is ensured by the
advanced security, integrity, and reliability features of DBMaker. Extensive
cross-platform support permits you to leverage your existing hardware
now, and allows you to expand and upgrade to more powerful hardware
as your needs grow.
DBMaker
provides excellent multimedia handling capabilities, allowing you to
store, search, retrieve, and manipulate all types of multimedia data.
Binary Large Objects (BLOBs) allow you to ensure the integrity of your
multimedia data by taking full advantage of the advanced security and
crash recovery mechanisms included in DBMaker; File Objects (FOs) allow
you to manage your multimedia data while maintaining the capability
to edit individual files in the source application.
Who Should Read
This Book?
This book
is intended for anyone using the SQL language with DBMaker. This includes
everyone from users performing ad-hoc queries using the dmSQL command
line utility, to programmers developing custom applications using ESQL/C
and the DBMaker ODBC-compliant interface.
Information in
This Book
This book
provides a complete reference to the Structured Query Language found
in DBMaker, and provides the syntax of each SQL statement with examples
and explanations.
Other
Sources of Information
DBMaker
provides many other user's guides and reference manuals in addition
to this reference. For more detailed information on a particular subject,
you should consult one of the books shown below.
- For
more information on designing, administering, and maintaining a DBMaker
database, please see the DBMaker Administrator Tutorial.
- For
more information on the tools and utilities provided with DBMaker,
please see the dmSQL User's Guide, the DBATool User's Guide, or the
Server Manager User's Guide.
- For
more information on the DBMaker ODBC-compatible API, please see the
ODBC Programmer's Guide. · For more information on the ESQL/C language
implemented by DBMaker, please see the ESQL/C Programmer's Reference.
- For
more information on error and warning messages, please see the Error
and Message Reference.
The subjects
listed above are the subjects that Database Administrator's may find
most useful. Not all of the DBMaker manuals are listed simply because
subjects covered by some manuals may be more relevant to end users or
programmers than database administrators. For information on subjects
not listed above, please refer to the complete set of manuals provided
with DBMaker.
Document Conventions
All of
the DBMaker product manuals use a standard set of typographic conventions
to make reading easier and clearer.
| Italics |
Italics
indicate placeholders for information you must supply, such as user
names and table names. The word in italics should not be typed,
but should be replaced by the actual name you want to use. Italic
type is also used for introducing new words, and occasionally for
emphasis in text. |
| Boldface |
Boldface
is used to indicate filenames, database names, table names, column
names, and other similar terms. |
Computer |
Information
that is displayed on the screen is presented in this type. This
includes lines that the product displays in response to user input,
as well as lines the user is required to enter. |
| KEYWORDS |
All
keywords used by the SQL language appear in uppercase when used
in text. |
| SMALL
CAPS |
Small
capital letters are used to indicate keys on the keyboard. When
you see a plus sign (+) between two key names, it indicates you
should hold down the first key while pressing the second. When you
see a comma (,) between two key names, it indicates you should release
the first key before pressing the second key. |
Syntax Diagrams
Syntax
diagrams are used to show the syntax for all SQL commands. These diagrams
provide assistance when you are constructing a statement on the command
line, but cannot remember the syntax and all possible options. An example
syntax diagram is shown below.
To use
the syntax diagram, simply follow the line from start to finish. Any
elements of the command that you cannot navigate around are required
to use the command. Any elements that you can navigate around are optional,
but provide additional options or flexibility.
Any words
that appear in italics are placeholders for the actual names used in
your database. You should substitute the actual names for these placeholders.
In the above diagram, the table_name placeholder should be replaced
with the name of a table in the database. For example, in the tutorial
database, you could replace the table_name placeholder with Customers
to execute this command on the Customers table.
Figure
1-1: A sample syntax diagram
You should
also note the direction of arrows. Sometimes it is possible to have
a list of items in a command, which is shown in the syntax diagram as
a circular path. Both column name fields above can include a list of
column names, separated by commas, as is indicated by the circular path
you can take by following the arrows.
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