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What is local SQL?

Local SQL is the subset of the SQL-92 specification used to access dBASE, Paradox, and FoxPro tables. On receiving local SQL statements from front-end applications, the Borland Database Engine (BDE) translates the statements into BDE API functions.

The local SQL language set

The SQL statements fall into two categories: Data Manipulation Language (DML) and Data Definition Language (DDL).

DML consists of SQL statements used for retrieving, inserting, updating, and deleting table data. SELECT is a DML statement.

DDL consists of SQL statements used for creating, altering, and deleting tables, and for creating and deleting indexes. CREATE TABLE and DROP INDEX are DDL statements.

For a complete introduction to ANSI-standard SQL, see one of the many available third-party books.

Typographical conventions

See the Legend for definitions of the typographical conventions used in this help file for SQL syntax examples.

Note: The information covered in this help file pertains to the 32-bit version of the BDE. Certain features discussed are not available in the 16-bit BDE, like nested SELECT queries.