FOCUS and SQL Similarities

Some FOCUS and SQL query functions are similar:

• SQL SELECT is equivalent to the FOCUS command PRINT. Both display individual values for a given column or field.
• SQL aggregate functions SUM, COUNT *, MAX, MIN, and AVG are comparable to FOCUS SUM., CNT., MAX., MIN., and AVE. field prefix operators.
• The SQL WHERE predicate is similar to FOCUS IF or WHERE screening tests.
• The SQL ORDER BY sort phrase is equivalent to the FOCUS BY sort phrase.
• SQL set operations such as UNION, intersection, and difference are available as FOCUS MATCH FILE options. The FOCUS MATCH FILE command generates a subset of data from tables or views. The subset is stored in a HOLD file and is available as a source for further report processing. Refer to your FOCUS documentation for more information about the MATCH FILE command.

  You can issue an SQL SELECT request from within FOCUS using the Direct SQL Passthru facility (see Direct SQL Passthru).