Unquoted table names don't work

Question

I've got a question. Why does my Oracle Express Edition requires double-quoted table names:

Not working select:

select * from table

Working select:

select * from "table"

Thanks for answers and help with editing my post. I was confused how to name this case.

I understand English is not your mother tongue but you could put some effort in making the question readable. What's your exact problem? Does `select * from table` work or not? — Álvaro González, Apr 20 '12 at 08:11
Yes select * from table is not working; But select * from "table" is... — Endiss, Apr 20 '12 at 08:19
This answer should help you: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/563090/oracle-what-exactly-do-quotation-marks-around-the-table-name-do — Ollie, Apr 20 '12 at 08:29
I've tried to make your question clearer. But next time don't forget to post here the error message. — Álvaro González, Apr 20 '12 at 08:35

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 20 '12 at 08:38

It requires double quote names only in case the name you are using is a keyword (and your example - table is in this situation) or if you want to include special characters or non-alphanumeric characters (e.g. "Multi word table name").

The names enclosed in " are case sensitive.

Rusty · Answer 2 · 2013-04-02T09:45:33.380

0

Use doublequotes only: select * from "table";

it works without quotes only of name was created is in uppercase. By default all unquoted names are stored in uppercase.

For example:

CREATE TABLE "T1" (x number);

-- That works:
select * from "T1";

-- that works too:
select * from t1;

-- that works too:
select * from T1;

TABLE - is a keyword. So you can it use without quotes even if you used name in uppercase in create statement:

CREATE TABLE "TABLE" (x number);

select * from table;

ORA-00906: missing left parenthesis

edited Apr 02 '13 at 09:45

answered Apr 02 '13 at 09:36

Rusty

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I would recommend avoiding the use of keywords for databases, tables and column names and then the problem would not happen :) – Ren Apr 02 '13 at 09:55
Correct - good recommendation, but it does not contradict to the naming rules if use double quotes. – Rusty Dec 16 '13 at 12:26

Unquoted table names don't work

2 Answers2