UPPERCASE

Transact-SQL keywords.

italic

User-supplied parameters of Transact-SQL syntax.

bold

Database names, table names, column names, index names, stored procedures, utilities, data type names, and text that must be typed exactly as shown.

underline

Indicates the default value applied when the clause that contains the underlined value is omitted from the statement.

| (vertical bar)

Separates syntax items enclosed in brackets or braces. You can use only one of the items.

[ ] (brackets)

Optional syntax items. Do not type the brackets.

{ } (braces)

Required syntax items. Do not type the braces.

[,...n]

Indicates the preceding item can be repeated n number of times. The occurrences are separated by commas.

[...n]

Indicates the preceding item can be repeated n number of times. The occurrences are separated by blanks.

;

Transact-SQL statement terminator. Although the semicolon is not required for most statements in this version of SQL Server, it will be required in a future version.

<label> ::=

The name for a block of syntax. This convention is used to group and label sections of lengthy syntax or a unit of syntax that can be used in more than one location within a statement. Each location in which the block of syntax can be used is indicated with the label enclosed in chevrons: <label>.

A set is a collection of expressions, for example, <grouping set>; and a list is a collection of sets, for example, <composite element list>.