SQL Reference Guide > SQL Reference Guide > Working with Embedded SQL > General Syntax and Rules of an Embedded SQL Statement
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General Syntax and Rules of an Embedded SQL Statement
An embedded SQL statement has the following format:
[margin] EXEC SQL SQL_statement [terminator]
Note:  To create forms-based applications, use forms statements. For details, see the Forms-based Application Development Tools User Guide.
When creating embedded SQL (ESQL) programs, remember the following points:
The margin, consisting of spaces or tabs, is the margin that the host language compiler requires before the regular host code. Not all languages require margins. To determine if a margin is required, see the Embedded SQL Companion Guide.
The keywords EXEC SQL must precede the SQL statement. EXEC SQL indicates to the embedded SQL preprocessor that the statement is an embedded SQL statement.
The terminator, which indicates the end of the statement, is specific to the host language. Different host languages require different terminators and some, such as Fortran, do not require any.
Embedded SQL statements can be continued across multiple lines according to the host language’s rules for line continuation.
A label can precede an embedded statement if a host language statement in the same place can be preceded by a label. Nothing can be placed between the label and the EXEC SQL keywords.
Host language comments must follow the rules for the host language.
Some host languages allow the placement of a line number in the margin. For information about language-dependent syntax, see the Embedded SQL Companion Guide.
Last modified date: 04/03/2024