This part of the book is a complete reference for the version of the SQL language used by MySQL. It divides the SQL statements and functions by the basic functions (scheme design, data manipulation, replication, etc.). Examples use the mysql command-line client, but they are equally valid when issued from the programming APIs discussed in Part IV.

Some of the chapters in this part start with a list of statements grouped by type, as a quick reference. The statements are then listed in alphabetical order. For the more complex statements, to simplify their presentation, I’ve broken the syntax into several sections according to the different uses of the statement.

Here are some general elements of MySQL’s SQL syntax:

The MySQL statements, clauses, and functions explained in Chapters 4 through 14 are grouped in each chapter, first by statements and clauses, then by functions. They are listed alphabetically within each group. Each statement is given with its syntax and an explanation. Optional clauses and flags are shown in square brackets. Particular components, such as a database or table name, are shown in italics. The vertical bar is used to separate alternative choices and is not part of the statement syntax.

Some statements have alternative syntax structures. These alternatives are usually shown in complete form. The curly braces indicate that one of the choices is required. Examples show how a statement and the various clauses may be used for almost all statements.

To save space, some of the examples are shown without their results. Occasionally, when the results are shown, the typical ASCII table format is not shown because the statement is executed with a \G ending instead of the usual semicolon. In order to focus on the particulars of the statements and clauses, the statements are fairly straightforward and do not make much use of the many built-in functions available with MySQL. Explanations of any functions used, though, can be found in other chapters.