SQL Reference

How To Use This Book

This book defines the SQL language used by DB2 Version 5.2. Use it as a reference manual for information on relational database concepts, language elements, functions, the forms of queries, and the syntax and semantics of the SQL statements. The appendixes can be used to find limitations and information on important components.

How This Book is Structured

This book has the following sections:

• Chapter 1. Introduction, identifies the purpose, the audience, and the use of the book.

• Chapter 2. Concepts, discusses the basic concepts of relational databases and SQL.

• Chapter 3. Language Elements, describes the basic syntax of SQL and the language elements that are common to many SQL statements.

• Chapter 4. Functions, contains syntax diagrams, semantic descriptions, rules, and usage examples of SQL column and scalar functions.

• Chapter 5. Queries, describes the various forms of a query.

• Chapter 6. Statements, contains syntax diagrams, semantic descriptions, rules, and examples of all SQL statements.

• The appendixes contain the following information:
  • Appendix A. SQL Limits contains the SQL limitations
  • Appendix B. SQL Communication Area (SQLCA) contains the SQLCA structure
  • Appendix C. Appendix C. SQL Descriptor Area (SQLDA) contains the SQLDA structure
  • Appendix D. Catalog Views contains the catalog views for the database
  • Appendix F. Sample Tables contains the sample tables used for examples
  • Appendix G. Reserved Schema Names and Reserved Words contains the reserved schema names and the reserved words for the IBM SQL and ISO/ANS SQL92 standards
  • Appendix H. Comparison of Isolation Levels contains a summary of the isolation levels.
  • Appendix I. Interaction of Triggers and Constraints discusses the interaction of triggers and referential constraints.
  • Appendix J. Incompatibilities Between Releases contains the release to release incompatibilities.
  • Appendix K. Explain Tables and Definitions contains the Explain tables and how they are defined.
  • Appendix L. Explain Register Values describes the interaction of the CURRENT EXPLAIN MODE and CURRENT EXPLAIN SNAPSHOT special register values with each other and the PREP and BIND commands.
  • Appendix M. Recursion Example: Bill of Materials contains an example of a recursive query.
  • Appendix N. Exception Tables contains information on user-created tables that are used with the SET CONSTRAINTS statement.
  • Appendix O. Japanese and Traditional-Chinese EUC Considerations lists considerations when using EUC character sets.

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