Oracle SQL By Example

Appendix B. SQL Formatting Guide

SQL formatting guidelines are a set of written instructions, similar to a style sheet in publishing, that help programmers determine what the program code should look like. The main rule is consistency: Once you have decided on the style, use it rigorously.

Why have guidelines? The major benefit of standardized formatting is ease of reading. This is particularly important if someone else has to maintain, upgrade, or fix your programs. The easier a program is to read, the easier it is to understand, and the faster changes can be made. This ultimately saves time and money.

Case

SQL is case-insensitive. However, there are guidelines to follow when writing SQL in order to improve readability:

• Use uppercase for ...