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Scope

This International Standard defines the data structures and basic operations on SQL-data. It provides functional ca pabilities for creating, accessing, maintaining, controlling, and protecting SQL-data. Note: The framework for this International Standard is described by the Reference Model of Data Management (ISO/IEC DIS 10032:1991).

This International Standard specifies the syntax and semantics of a database language - for specifying and modifying the structure and the integrity constraints of SQL-data, - for declaring and invoking operations of SQL-data and cursors, and - for declaring database language procedures and embedding them into a standard programming language.

It also specifies an Information Schema that describes the structure and the integrity constraints of SQL-data.

This International Standard - provides a vehicle for portability of data definitions and compilation units between SQL-implementations, - provides a vehicle for interconnection of SQL-implementations, - specifies syntax for embedding SQL-statements in a compilation unit that otherwise conforms to the standard for a particular programming language. It defines how an equivalent compilation unit may be derived that conforms to the particular programming language standard. In that equivalent compilation unit, each embedded SQL-statement has been replaced by statements that invoke a database language procedure that contains the SQL- statement, and - specifies syntax for direct invocation of SQL-statements.

This International Standard does not define the method or time of binding between any of: - database management system components, - SQL data definition declarations, - SQL procedures, or - compilation units, including those containing embedded SQL.

Implementation of this International Standard may exist in environments that also support application programming languages, end-user query languages, report generator systems, data dictionary systems, program library systems, and distributed communication systems, as well as various tools for database design, data administration, and performance optimization.