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Asked: 2024-09-26T17:51:06+05:30 In:

how to write comments in sql

I’m learning SQL, and I’ve come across a problem I can’t seem to solve. I’ve been trying to understand how to write comments in SQL code, but I’m confused about the different methods available. I often hear that comments are essential for making code more understandable, especially when collaborating with others or revisiting my own work later on.

I know that SQL, like many programming languages, allows for comments to clarify or annotate sections of code, but I’m unsure about the syntax. I’ve seen some examples that use double dashes (`–`) and others that use `/* … */`, but I’m not clear on when to use which format. For instance, if I want to comment out a single line, which method is best? What about multiline comments?

Furthermore, I want to ensure that my comments don’t interfere with the execution of my SQL statements. Can anyone explain the nuances of writing comments in SQL? Are there any best practices I should follow to keep my code clean and efficient? Any examples would be greatly appreciated!

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    2 Answers

    1. In SQL, comments are essential for providing clarity and context within your code, especially when collaborating with others or revisiting your work after some time. SQL supports two types of comments: single-line comments and multi-line comments. To create a single-line comment, you can use either two dashes (`–`) followed by the comment text. Anything following the dashes on that line will be ignored by the SQL engine. For multi-line comments, you can enclose the comment between the delimiters `/*` and `*/`. This allows you to provide more detailed descriptions or explanations without cluttering the main code, making it highly useful for documenting intricate logic or outlining potential improvements.

      When writing these comments, it’s a good practice to keep them concise yet informative. Focus on explaining the “why” behind complex queries or unusual logic rather than reiterating what the query does, as the SQL code itself should be self-explanatory to a certain extent. For example, instead of simply stating “select the user data,” you might elaborate by writing “/* Selecting user details for analysis to improve customer retention strategies */”. This approach not only communicates intent clearly but also guides future developers who may work with your code. By adopting these commenting strategies, you can foster a more maintainable and comprehensible codebase.

    2. Ok, so comments in SQL…

      So, like, if you wanna add some notes or stuff in your SQL code (like a little reminder or explanation), you can do it using comments. It’s super handy for when you come back to your code later and you’re like, “What was I thinking?”

      There are a couple of ways to do this:

      1. Single-line Comments

      You can use two dashes (–) for a single line comment. Just put them before your comment. Like this:

      SELECT * FROM users; -- This gets all users

      2. Multi-line Comments

      If you wanna write something longer, you can use this format:

      /* 
   This is a comment that can be 
   on multiple lines. 
*/
SELECT * FROM products;

      Tricky stuff, huh? Well, it’s not really. Just remember to use the right symbols, and you’ll be fine. Happy coding!

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