--- In firebird-support@yahoogroups.com, Helen Borrie <helebor@...> wrote:

> >
> >Until I added the clause 'FROM rdb$database', I was getting errors
> >regarding an 'Unexpected end of command'. What role does this clause
> >play?
>
> Well, a SELECT statement needs a FROM clause - always!!
>
> RDB$DATABASE happens to be a table that exists in all databases that

has the essential guarantee ( for SELECT ...INTO) to be a table with
exactly one record.

>
> ./heLen
>

Just what I was looking for. Thanks for the explanation, Helen.

Jeff