understanding existing SQL query

Question

I am trying to read some exiting SQL queries written for MS SQL server.

I don't have access to database, table names etc.. Just raw query format...And I need to do some analysis on the fields required..

I need some help in understanding what certain query statements are doing...such as in the following block...

    select FIELD1, x2.FIELD2
    into #temp
    from #temp1 x1 join #temp2 x2
    on x1.FIELD1 = x2.FIELD2
    and x1.FIELD3 = x2.MAXOCCUR

I have basic SQL understanding.. But I need to understand couple of things....Why does 'into' and 'from' statements have a '#' infront of table names.....what are x1 and x2 in this case. Why not just say

          temp1.FIELD1 = temp2.FIELD2    instead of
          x1.FIELD1 = x2.FIELD2

.....Am I missing something or is this query formed weird to begin with....I understand joins etc...

Can someone help me out...

Thanks

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3166117/what-does-the-sql-symbol-mean-and-how-is-it-used — LittleBobbyTables - Au Revoir, Jan 20 '14 at 19:06
ok. thank you guys... so # is used for temp tables and also one can alias table names... — buzcrawl, Jan 20 '14 at 19:09

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 20 '14 at 19:08

1

That is selecting from two already temp existing temp tables into a new temp table. The x1.FIELD1 is called aliasing. It's used so you don't have to type full table names when writing the query

answered Jan 20 '14 at 19:08

mituw16

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thank you. I just did not know what to search for earlier...really appreciate it... – buzcrawl Jan 20 '14 at 19:13

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 20 '14 at 19:12

As mentioned, the # signs indicate a TEMPORARY table.

x1 and x2 are used as "table alias" in this query. Yes, you could write

temp1.FIELD1 = temp2.FIELD2 instead of x1.FIELD1 = x2.FIELD2

but, consider if the tables had long names. Then using an alias makes the query easier to read (for humans. the computer doesn't really care).

understanding existing SQL query

2 Answers2