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Chapter 5: Transact-SQL Topics

Chapter 5

Transact-SQL Topics

This chapter presents general Transact-SQL reference information, arranged alphabetically by topic. Each topic describes the commands, system procedures, and functions that provide a particular type of functionality. Table 5-1 lists the topics discussed in this chapter.

Table 5-1: Transact-SQL topics
Topic
Function
Auditing
Records security-related system activity in an audit trail that can be used to detect penetration of the system and misuse of system resources.
Batch Queries
Combine a set of SQL statements that are submitted together and executed as a group, one after the other.
Browse Mode
Allows front-end applications using Open Client and a host programming language to perform updates while viewing data.
Comments
Attach comments to SQL statements, statement blocks, and system procedures.
Control-of-Flow Language
Controls the flow of execution of SQL statements, statement blocks, and stored procedures.
Cursors
Provide access to the set of rows returned by a SQL query.
Disk Mirroring
Creates a software mirror of a user database device, the master device, or a database device used for user database transaction logs.
Expressions
Combine constants, literals, functions, column identifiers, variables, and operators.
Identifiers
Name database objects such as databases, tables, views, columns, indexes, triggers, procedures, defaults, rules, and cursors.
IDENTITY Columns
Uniquely identify each row within a table. Each time you insert a row into the table, SQL Server automatically provides a unique, sequential value for the IDENTITY column.
Joins
Compare two or more tables (or views) by specifying a column from each, comparing the values in those columns row by row, and concatenating rows that have matching values.
Login Management
Verifies the identities of SQL Server users and administers SQL Server login accounts.
Null Values
Mark columns whose value is unknown (as opposed to those that have 0 or blank as a value).
Parameters
Are arguments to a stored procedure.
Roles
Provide greater individual accountability for users performing system administration and security-related tasks on SQL Server.
Search Conditions
Set the conditions in a where or having clause.
Subqueries
Nest a select statement inside a select, insert, update, or delete statement, another subquery, or anywhere an expression is allowed (if it returns a single value).
Temporary Tables
Store data in tempdb for the duration of the current session.
Transactions
Group SQL statements so that they are treated as a unit: either all statements in the group are executed, or no statements in the group are executed.
Variables (Local and Global)
Assume values assigned by a declare statement (local variables) or supplied by SQL Server (global variables).
Wildcard Characters
Represent one or more characters in a string. Wildcard characters are used with the keyword like to find character and date strings that match a particular pattern.

**Table 5-1: Transact-SQL topics**
Topic	Function
Auditing	Records security-related system activity in an audit trail that can be used to detect penetration of the system and misuse of system resources.
Batch Queries	Combine a set of SQL statements that are submitted together and executed as a group, one after the other.
Browse Mode	Allows front-end applications using Open Client and a host programming language to perform updates while viewing data.
Comments	Attach comments to SQL statements, statement blocks, and system procedures.
Control-of-Flow Language	Controls the flow of execution of SQL statements, statement blocks, and stored procedures.
Cursors	Provide access to the set of rows returned by a SQL query.
Disk Mirroring	Creates a software mirror of a user database device, the master device, or a database device used for user database transaction logs.
Expressions	Combine constants, literals, functions, column identifiers, variables, and operators.
Identifiers	Name database objects such as databases, tables, views, columns, indexes, triggers, procedures, defaults, rules, and cursors.
IDENTITY Columns	Uniquely identify each row within a table. Each time you insert a row into the table, SQL Server automatically provides a unique, sequential value for the IDENTITY column.
Joins	Compare two or more tables (or views) by specifying a column from each, comparing the values in those columns row by row, and concatenating rows that have matching values.
Login Management	Verifies the identities of SQL Server users and administers SQL Server login accounts.
Null Values	Mark columns whose value is unknown (as opposed to those that have 0 or blank as a value).
Parameters	Are arguments to a stored procedure.
Roles	Provide greater individual accountability for users performing system administration and security-related tasks on SQL Server.
Search Conditions	Set the conditions in a where or having clause.
Subqueries	Nest a select statement inside a select, insert, update, or delete statement, another subquery, or anywhere an expression is allowed (if it returns a single value).
Temporary Tables	Store data in tempdb for the duration of the current session.
Transactions	Group SQL statements so that they are treated as a unit: either all statements in the group are executed, or no statements in the group are executed.
Variables (Local and Global)	Assume values assigned by a declare statement (local variables) or supplied by SQL Server (global variables).
Wildcard Characters	Represent one or more characters in a string. Wildcard characters are used with the keyword like to find character and date strings that match a particular pattern.

Auditing

Batch Queries

Browse Mode

Comments

Control-of-Flow Language

Cursors

Disk Mirroring

Expressions

Identifiers

IDENTITY Columns

Joins

Login Management

Null Values

Parameters

Roles

Search Conditions

Subqueries

Temporary Tables

Transactions

Variables (Local and Global)

Wildcard Characters


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