Conventions

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    The SQL++ syntax descriptions in the documentation use some notational conventions that you need to be familiar with.

    The syntax descriptions are written using a W3C dialect of EBNF (Extended Backus-Naur Format).

    Table 1. Notational conventions for SQL++ syntax descriptions
    Convention Notation Example Description

    Upper case

    'SELECT'

    Indicates keywords in the syntax description. Delimited by quotes, to show that the keyword is required in the syntax. Note that you can enter keywords in upper or lower case.

    Single or double quotes

    '' or ""

    '(' ')'
    ','

    Indicate that the text between the quotes is required in the syntax.

    Pipe

    |

    'AND' | 'OR'

    Separates alternatives.

    Parentheses

    ( )

    'USING' ( 'GSI' | 'FTS' )

    Delimit alternatives, or group optional and repeated elements, where necessary.

    Question mark

    ?

    element?
    (',' element)?

    Indicates that the element or group preceding the question mark is optional.

    Plus sign

    +

    element+
    (',' element)+

    Indicates that the element or group preceding the plus sign may appear one or many times.

    Asterisk

    *

    element*
    (',' element)*

    Indicates that the element or group preceding the asterisk may appear zero, one, or many times.

    Syntax diagrams generated using Railroad Diagram Generator.