Is it valid syntax to have a column name prefixed with a number, e.g., 3name?

Question

While toiling on a report last friday, I noticed a column that returned "3" for every row even though the data in the table said otherwise. After squinting very hard at my sql, I noticed a typo in my select list that was causing the problem.

Why does the sql parser allow the sytax below? I would have thought that this would return an error, since the column "3Name" does not exist in the table.

Select 3Name from Employee

Please include the software you are using to do this - this is not true of all flavors of SQL and even varies based on the sql client being used. — cmt, Jan 08 '17 at 03:51

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 08 '17 at 03:52

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It is interpreted as SELECT 3 AS NAME and hence the result with Column 'Name' And value 3 for all the rows.

answered Jan 08 '17 at 03:52

Jerry

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Is it valid syntax to have a column name prefixed with a number, e.g., 3name?

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