SQL/MP Query Guide

HP NonStop SQL/MP Query Guide—524488-003
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About This Manual
NonStop SQL/MP is an HP implementation of a relational database management
system that uses the industry-standard Structured Query Language (SQL) to define
and manipulate data.
Who Should Use This Manual?
This manual is for any NonStop SQL/MP user, although there are two primary
audiences:
•
Users who want information on how to write SELECT statements
•
Users who want to know how query design affects system performance
Prerequisites
This manual discusses the use and formulation of queries. Examples are in interactive
form, such as that used by the NonStop SQL/MP Conversational Interface (SQLCI).
Before reading this manual, you should understand these concepts:
•
Tables, including key-sequenced, relative, and entry-sequenced table structures
•
Primary keys
•
Indexes
•
Views
•
Data Partitioning
For more information about these concepts, see the Introduction to NonStop SQL/MP.
You should also be familiar with the operating system and one of the host
programming languages: C, COBOL85, Pascal, or TAL. You should also understand
relational database theory and terminology.
If you are not yet familiar with NonStop SQL/MP, you should read the Introduction to
NonStop SQL/MP and the SQL/MP Quick Start before reading this manual.
Organization
Table i. Summary of Contents (page1of2)
Section 1, Retrieving Data:
How to Write Queries
Describes how to write queries for a NonStop SQL/MP
database and provides information on how to retrieve data.
Section 2, The Optimizer
Explains how the NonStop SQL/MP optimizer chooses a
query execution plan and how you can influence its choice
of a plan
Section 3, Improving Query
Performance Through Query
Design
Describes how to write queries so that they capitalize on
SQL performance features and how to improve query
performances.