SQL Language Guide > Introducing SQL > SQL Syntax Conventions
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SQL Syntax Conventions
When representing syntax, the following conventions are used in this guide:
Convention
Usage
UPPERCASE
Indicates reserved keywords such as SELECT and WHERE
Monospace
Indicates keywords, symbols, or punctuation that you must enter as shown
Italic
< > (angle brackets)
Indicates a variable name for which you must supply an actual value—this convention is used in explanatory text and syntax
[ ] (square brackets)
Indicates an optional item
{ } (curly braces)
Indicates an optional item that you can repeat as many times as appropriate
| (vertical bar)
Indicates a list of mutually exclusive items (that is, you can select only one item from the list)
The following example illustrates the syntax conventions:
[EXEC SQL] ALTER GROUP group_id {, group_id}
ADD USERS (user_id{, user_id}) | DROP USERS (user_id{, user_id}) | DROP ALL
Explanation:
[EXEC SQL] is optional and does not need to be included
ALTER GROUP are reserved keywords (for more information, see Keywords)
group_id is a variable name for which you must substitute an actual group ID number
{, group_id} is an optional item that can be repeated (multiple values must be separated by a comma)
ADD USERS | DROP USERS | DROP ALL are mutually exclusive items—pick and use only one
SQL statement syntax is followed by a term list explaining the keywords, variables, and other values provided in the syntax representation.
Last modified date: 01/04/2024