SQL in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition

SQL Platform Support

Table 3-1 provides a listing of the SQL statements, the platforms that support them, and the degree to which they support them. The following list offers useful tips for reading Table 3-1, as well as an explanation of what each abbreviation stands for:

1. The first column contains the SQL commands, in alphabetical order.

2. The SQL statement class for each command is indicated in the second column.

3. The subsequent columns list the level of support for each vendor:

   Supported (S)

   The platform supports the SQL2003 standard for the particular command.

   Supported, with variations (SWV)

   The platform supports the SQL2003 standard for the particular command, using vendoor-specific code or syntax.

   Supported, with limitations (SWL)

   The platform supports some but not all of the functions specified by the SQL2003 standard for the particular command.

   Not supported (NS)

   The platform does not support the particular command according to the SQL2003 standard.

The sections that follow the table describe the commands in detail. Related CREATE and ALTER commands (e.g., CREATE DATABASE and ALTER DATABASE) are discussed together (e.g., in a section titled “CREATE/ALTER DATABASE Statement”).

Remember that even if a specific SQL2003 command is listed in the table as “Not supported,” the platform usually has alternative coding or syntax to enact the same command or function. Therefore, be sure to read the discussion and examples for each command later in this chapter. Likewise, a few of the commands in ...