You can use punctuation to separate or identify the parts of an SQL statement.
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This syntax element… |
Named… |
Performs this function in a SQL statement… |
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period |
separates database names from table names and table names from a particular column name (for example, personnel.employee.deptno). |
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comma |
separates and distinguishes column names in the select list, or column names or parameters in an optional clause. |
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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. |
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semicolon |
separates statements in multi‑statement requests and terminates requests submitted via certain utilities such as BTEQ. |
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double quotation marks |
identifies user names that might otherwise conflict with SQL reserved words or that would not be valid names in the absence of the double quotation marks. |
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colon |
prefixes reference parameters or client system variables. |
To include an apostrophe or show possession in a title, double the apostrophes.