ASA SQL Reference
SQL Language Elements
Expressions
The following tables describe the compatibility of expressions and constants between Adaptive Server Enterprise and Adaptive Server Anywhere. These tables are a guide only, and a marking of Both may not mean that the expression performs in an identical manner for all purposes under all circumstances. For detailed descriptions, you should refer to the Adaptive Server Enterprise documentation and the Adaptive Server Anywhere documentation on the individual expression.
In the following table, expr represents an expression, and op represents an operator.
| Expression | Supported by |
|---|---|
| constant | Both |
| column name | Both |
| variable name | Both |
| function (expr) | Both |
| - expr | Both |
| expr op expr | Both |
| ( expr ) | Both |
| ( subquery ) | Both |
| if-expression | Adaptive Server Anywhere only |
| Constant | Supported by |
|---|---|
| integer | Both |
| number | Both |
| 'string' | Both |
| special-constant | Both |
| host-variable | Adaptive Server Anywhere |
By default, Adaptive Server Enterprise and Adaptive Server Anywhere give different meanings to delimited strings: that is, strings enclosed in apostrophes (single quotes) and in quotation marks (double quotes).
Adaptive Server Anywhere employs the SQL/92 convention, that strings enclosed in apostrophes are constant expressions, and strings enclosed in quotation marks (double quotes) are delimited identifiers (names for database objects). Adaptive Server Enterprise employs the convention that strings enclosed in quotation marks are constants, while delimited identifiers are not allowed by default and are treated as strings.