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ABL Reference
ABL Syntax Reference : ; Punctuation
 

; Punctuation

In Progress® Version 6.0 or later, the ANSI SQL (-Q) startup parameter allows you to redefine the semicolon as a terminator. This startup parameter enforces strict ANSI SQL conformance and allows you to terminate SQL statements with a semicolon. The ANSI SQL (-Q) parameter allows OpenEdge® to run standard SQL statements and scripts built with other products.
The ANSI SQL (-Q) parameter disables the use of the semicolon within UNIX escapes.
UNIX SMBL=foo; export SMBL
As a general rule, use the period (.) as a terminator for ABL statements even when you specify the ANSI SQL (-Q) parameter for an ABL session.