Syntax on BareSQL.com

Backticks Around Names Work on MySQL and SQLite and Fail on PostgreSQL

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

MySQL examples often quote every name in backticks, as in SELECT `name` FROM `people`. Copied into a PostgreSQL project, the query fails.

`name` is MySQL’s way of quoting a name, and SQLite and MariaDB accept it too. PostgreSQL reads the backtick as a syntax error.

Double Dash Comments Need a Space After Them on MySQL and MariaDB

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In a line like SELECT price --discount, left over from debugging, SQLite and PostgreSQL read --discount as a comment. MySQL and MariaDB add the discount to the price instead.

SQLite and PostgreSQL treat every -- as the start of a comment. MySQL and MariaDB need a space, a tab or a line break after the dashes; otherwise they are two minus signs.

Double Quotes Name a Column on PostgreSQL and Make a String on MySQL

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A query copied from PostgreSQL that puts a column name in double quotes runs on MySQL without an error, and never reads the column.

Standard SQL quotes names with double quotes, and SQLite and PostgreSQL follow it. MySQL and MariaDB read "..." like '...' unless the ANSI_QUOTES mode is on: the query still runs and returns the same text on every row. SQLite also turns a double-quoted word into a string when no column has that name.

Hash Comments Work on MySQL and MariaDB and Become an Operator on PostgreSQL

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

MySQL and MariaDB skip everything from a # to the end of the line. On SQLite and PostgreSQL that # is still part of the statement.

Scripts written for the mysql client often use # comments. SQLite stops with a syntax error. On PostgreSQL # is a bitwise exclusive or, so the rest of the line becomes part of the expression.

PostgreSQL Returns Column Names in Lower Case Unless You Quote Them

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

SELECT SUM(amount) AS Total gives a column named Total on SQLite, MySQL and MariaDB. PostgreSQL calls it total.

SQLite, MySQL and MariaDB return names as written. PostgreSQL folds unquoted names to lower case, in aliases and in CREATE TABLE alike, so code that reads columns by name (row["Total"]) finds nothing on PostgreSQL.