Why are MySQL queries almost always written in Capital

Question

I've seen most coders use Capital letters while writing MySQL queries, something like

 "SELECT * FROM `table` WHERE `id` = 1 ORDER BY `id` DESC"

I've tried writing the queries in small caps and it still works.

So is there any particular reason for not using small caps or is it just a matter of choice?

Answer 1

It's just a matter of readability. Keeping keywords in upper case and table/column names lower case means it's easier to separate the two when scan reading the statement .: better readability.

Most SQL implementations are case-insensitive, so you could write your statement in late 90s LeEt CoDeR StYLe, if you felt so inclined, and it would still work.

Answer 2

The case make no difference of the SQL engine. It is just a convention followed, just like coding conventions use in any of the programming languages

Answer 3

You have to have a system - there are already a few questions on the site that deal with conventions and approaches. Try:

SQL formatting standards