SQL Programming Manual for TAL

About This Manual
HP NonStop SQL Programming Manual for TAL—527887-001
xiv
Notation Conventions
Notation Conventions
The list summarizes the conventions used for syntax and programming examples in
this manual.
Notation Meaning
UPPERCASE LETTERS Uppercase letters represent keywords and reserved words;
enter these items exactly as shown.
Uppercase letters in text also represent variable names that
are used in programming examples.
lowercase italic letters Lowercase letters in italics represent information you supply.
Brackets [ ] Brackets enclose optional syntax items. A group of vertically
aligned items enclosed in brackets represents a list of
selections from which you can choose one or none.
Braces { } Braces enclose required syntax items. A group of vertically
aligned items enclosed in braces represents a list of
selections from which you must choose one.
Vertical line | A vertical line separates alternative syntax items in a
horizontal list. Such a list, enclosed in either brackets or
braces, is an alternative to a vertical list for presenting
selections.
Ellipsis ... An ellipsis immediately following a pair of brackets or braces
indicates that you can repeat the enclosed syntax items any
number of times.
An ellipsis in a programming example indicates that one or
more lines of source code have been omitted.
Spaces If a space separates two items, that space is required. If one
of the items is a punctuation symbol, such as a parenthesis
or a comma, spaces are optional.
i and o In the syntax for SQL system procedure calls, i and o are
used as follows:
i Input parameters (parameters that pass data to
the called procedure)
o Output parameters (parameters that return data
to the calling program)
i:o Input and output parameters (parameters that
both pass and return data)
Punctuation Parentheses, commas, semicolons, and other symbols not
described above must be entered precisely as shown.