SQL syntax used in this manual SQL syntax is presented in modified BNF notation.

The meta-symbols of BNF are listed in the following table.

BNF meta-symbolsThis table lists the BNF meta-symbols used in SQL syntax examples and describes their meanings. Symbol Meaning | Or. Choose one of the items. [ ] Encloses optional items. * Flags items that you can repeat 0 or more times. Has a special meaning in some SQL statements. { } Groups required items so that they can be marked with the symbol |. Has a special meaning in JDBC escape syntax (see ). ( ) . , Other punctuation that is part of the syntax.

The following example shows how SQL syntax is presented: CREATE [ UNIQUE ] INDEX indexName ON tableName ( simpleColumnName [ , simpleColumnName ]* )