At 08:36 AM 12/07/2002, you wrote:

>I really would like to know why First is a keyword in Firebird and not
>in InterBase.

<snip>

>I use First in storing names like
>
>First,Middle,Last,Suffix.

I find it difficult to believe anyone would use words like first, last, as
fields in any database application especially an SQL language. If the
keyword had been FirstName, or even FirstN I could see you having a point.

>I have more tables, triggers, and etc. than it is feasible to update.

Wow. Poor you. You might have trouble if Interbase ever starts using
unique finds, or if you need to move to a different platform and that
platform uses it. It's not too unusual.

>So is this a bug or the direction Firebird is heading.

I would say it's a feature, and a useful one.

>I was under th impression that Firebird was picking up where InterBase
>left off, and was at least backward compatible.

Almost a whole version ago (or a little more), where it left off, Borland
was nice enough to open Interbase up so an Open Source project like
Firebird could get started, they never said they had to stay exactly the
same. I wouldn't doubt it if Interbase started adopting useful concepts
like: select first record where... as well.