Building expressions

Use the Expression Builder to create expressions. You can add a term to an expression in either of two ways:

• Double-click the term in the upper portion of the Expression Builder window; or
• Type the term directly into the Expression input field.

You can cut, copy, and paste data between the Expression input field and the system clipboard, using the standard keys.

Click OK to close the Expression Builder window and add the expression to the SQL statement.

• If you launched the Expression Builder from the Columns tab, then the SQL Wizard adds the expression to the list of Selected columns on the Columns tab.
• If you launched the Expression Builder from the Conditions tab, then the SQL Wizard appends the expression to the contents of the Conditions field on the Conditions tab.

The Expression Builder window does not check the expression for validity. The expression is not checked for validity until run time. If an error is found at run time, then the SQL Wizard displays an error message.

Columns

This tree contains the names of the tables that you added to the list of Selected tables on the Tables tab.

• To expand or collapse the names of the columns in a table, click the + or - symbol to the left of the table name.
• Double-click the name of the column that you want to add to the expression.

Operators

Double-click the operator that you want to add to the expression.

Case

Double-click the key word that you want to add to the expression.

Functions

To add a function to an expression:

1. In the upper listbox, double-click the category of the functions that you want to view in the lower listbox.
2. In the lower listbox, double-click the name of the function that you want to add to the expression. If the function has parameters, the Function Parameters window opens.
3. Select the format of the function and specify the parameter values.
4. Click OK.

Constants

To add a constant to the expression:

1. In the upper listbox, double-click the category of the constants that you want to view in the lower listbox.
2. In the lower listbox, double-click the name of the constant that you want to add to the expression.

And, Or, =, <>, (, )

Click the appropriate button to add the operator or the left or right parenthesis to the expression.

Clear

Click this button to erase the contents of the Expression input field. You cannot undo a clear.

Undo

Click this button to remove the previous item added to the expression.

Redo

Click this button to add back the previous item removed by Undo.

Related topics:

• SQL Wizard (Java 1 browsers)
• SQL Wizard (Java 2-enabled browsers)