This International Standard defines the data structures and basic operations on SQL-data. It provides functional capabilities for creating, accessing, maintaining, controlling, and protecting SQL-data.Note: The framework for this International Standard is described by the Reference Model of Data Management (ISO/IEC DIS 10032:1991).This International Standard specifies the syntax and semantics of a database language- for specifying and modifying the structure and the integrity constraints of SQL-data,- for declaring and invoking operations on SQL-data and cursors, and- for declaring database language procedures and embedding them into a standard programming language. It also specifies an Information Schema that describes the structure and the integrity constraints of SQL-data This International Standard- provides a vehicle for portability of data definitions and compilation units between SQL-implementations,- provides a vehicle for interconnection of SQL-implementations,- specifies syntax for embedding SQL-statements in a compilation unit that otherwise conforms to the standard for a particular programming language. It defines how an equivalent compilation unit may be derived that conforms to the particular programming language standard. In that equivalent compilation unit, each embedded SQL-statement has been replaced by statements that invoke a database language procedure that contains the SQL-statement, and- specifies syntax for direct invocation of SQL-statements.This International Standard does not define the method or time of binding between any of:- database management system components,- SQL data definition declarations,- SQL procedures, or- compilation units, including those containing embedded SQL.Implementations of this International Standard may exist in environments that also support application programming languages, end-user query languages, report generator systems, data dictionary systems, program library systems, and distributed communication systems, as well as various tools for database design, data administration, and performance optimization.

First published as AS 3968-1991.Jointly revised and redesignated as Joint Standard AS/NZS 3968:1994.Redesignated AS/NZS 3968.0:1994 in 1996. First published as AS 3968-1991. Jointly revised and redesignated as Joint Standard AS/NZS 3968:1994. Redesignated AS/NZS 3968.0:1994 in 1996.