Summary

This chapter cleared up some outstanding issues from previous chapters concerning literal values and calculations, and it covered the basic syntax behind using and creating functions in SQL. Specifically, you've learned about the following:

• Different types of literal values in SQL and how to express them

• SQL operators

• Building SQL expressions involving calculations

• Basic function syntax

• The variation in functions between RDBMSs and some of the most common functions that vary relatively little between platforms

• How to create your own user-defined functions using SQL statements.

This leaves you in a much better position to continue with the SQL tutorial.