You can use punctuation to separate or identify the parts of an SQL statement.
| This syntax element… | Named… | Performs this function in a SQL statement… |
|---|---|---|
| . | period | separates database names from table names and table names from a particular column name (for example, personnel.employee.deptno). |
| , | comma | separates and distinguishes column names in the select list, or column names or parameters in an optional clause. |
| ' | apostrophe | delimits the boundaries of character string constants. |
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) |
left and right parentheses | groups expressions or defines the limits of a phrase. |
| ; | semicolon | separates statements in multistatement requests and terminates requests submitted via certain utilities, such as BTEQ. |
| " | double quotation marks | identifies user names that might otherwise conflict with SQL reserved words or that would not be valid names without double quotation marks. |
| : | colon | prefixes reference parameters or client system variables. |
To include an apostrophe or show possession in a title, double the apostrophes.