Column Expressions

A column expression, which is designated as column_expr in subsequent syntax diagrams, is a limited form of expr. A column expression can be a simple expression, compound expression, function expression, or expression list, but it can contain only the following forms of expression:

• Columns of the subject table — the table being created, altered, or indexed

• Constants (strings or numbers)

• Deterministic functions — either SQL built-in functions or user-defined functions

No other expression forms described in this chapter are valid. In addition, compound expressions using the PRIOR keyword are not supported, nor are aggregate functions.

You can use a column expression for these purposes:

• To create a function-based index.

• To explicitly or implicitly define a virtual column. When you define a virtual column, the defining column_expr must refer only to columns of the subject table that have already been defined, in the current statement or in a prior statement.

The combined components of a column expression must be deterministic. That is, the same set of input values must return the same set of output values.