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Databases

Posted by A X
A X
12,842 Points

Why do we use all capital letters for the keywords in SQL and what would happen if we didn't?

Hi all, I'm just starting on the SQL series videos, and I'm just curious why SQL keywords are in all caps like SELECT and FROM?

I assume that if we used something like Select or select instead it would throw a syntax error if we tried to run it? Or does the case really not matter and it's more a formality?

Thanks!

2 Answers

Mircea Dan Dumitru
Mircea Dan Dumitru
6,737 Points

Try it and see for yourself, you could get an error in the worst scenario :)

In most of SQL languages, both are correct, but it's easier to read and more organised to write the keywords in caps.

A X
A X
12,842 Points

Ah, so it falls into kind of a "best practices", like indentation. Yes, I'll try to monkey around myself with trying different combinations...I was just having trouble starting up SQL Playground (which I have asked about in another post).

Mircea Dan Dumitru
Mircea Dan Dumitru
6,737 Points

Yup. Generally, keeping the code tidy is a important factor in reading and understanding easier what it does. Good luck!

Aamnah Akram
Aamnah Akram
17,549 Points
Aamnah Akram
Aamnah Akram
17,549 Points

The case really doesn't matter, the caps are a best practice thing. People (who read your code) will like you more if you write neat and good looking code :)