sql statement - SQL Server Forums

Please start any new threads on our new site at https://forums.sqlteam.com. We've got lots of great SQL Server experts to answer whatever question you can come up with.

All Forums

General SQL Server Forums

New to SQL Server Programming

sql statement

Author

Topic

kareem100
Starting Member

10 Posts

Posted - 2011-07-14 : 17:54:14

Hi,

In answer to an earlier question, I was given some sql code. The code was

SELECT TOP(4) ProductName AS FourMostExpensiveProducts,
UnitPrice
FROM dbo.Products
ORDER BY UnitPrice DESC

The code worked fine but i have a question. After the select statement/keyword you have " AS FourMostExpensiveProducts ". What is this used for. My understanding of the select statement is that you have a series of column namess that are displayed when you run the query.

As you can see my understanding of sql is very basic. Could someone direct me to a website which would enable me to learn more about sql.
I should perhaps also mention that i'm using sql 2005 express.

Regards,
Kareem

robvolk
Most Valuable Yak

15732 Posts

Posted - 2011-07-14 : 17:58:48

AS is a keyword indicating a column (or table) alias, in this case, FourMostExpensiveProducts. AS is optional, you could also write:

SELECT TOP(4) ProductName FourMostExpensiveProducts,
UnitPrice
FROM dbo.Products
ORDER BY UnitPrice DESC

It's up to you which form you prefer. You can find more information on aliases here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms176104.aspx

kareem100
Starting Member

10 Posts

Posted - 2011-07-15 : 17:28:09

Hi,

Yes, I do understand what you mean.

By the way there are many different versions of SQL, I wanted to know which version are we using here.

Are we using microsft sql ?

Regards,
Kareem

robvolk
Most Valuable Yak

15732 Posts

Posted - 2011-07-15 : 17:52:25

Yes, SQLTeam specializes in Microsoft SQL Server. However, aliases are part of the ANSI SQL standard and should work the same way in most products. From memory I think Oracle was the only one that didn't recognize AS as a keyword.

madhivanan
Premature Yak Congratulator

22864 Posts

Posted - 2011-07-19 : 05:28:54

quote:
Originally posted by robvolk

Yes, SQLTeam specializes in Microsoft SQL Server. However, aliases are part of the ANSI SQL standard and should work the same way in most products. From memory I think Oracle was the only one that didn't recognize AS as a keyword.

It will recognize it for columns and not for tables

Madhivanan

Failing to plan is Planning to fail

Subscribe to SQLTeam.com

SQLTeam.com Articles via RSS

SQLTeam.com Weblog via RSS

- Advertisement -

Resources