A syntax error in SQL is an error in the structure of a SQL statement. This can be caused by a missing keyword, a misspelled word, or an incorrect punctuation mark.

For example, the following SQL statement is missing the keyword FROM:

SQL

SELECT *
FROM customers;

This will cause a syntax error because the database does not know which table to select the data from.

Another example of a syntax error is the following SQL statement, which uses the wrong keyword for the UPDATE statement:

SQL

UPDATE INSERT customers
SET name = 'John Doe';

This will cause a syntax error because the keyword UPDATE is used instead of the keyword INSERT.

Syntax errors can be avoided by carefully checking the syntax of your SQL statements. You can also use a SQL syntax checker to help you identify syntax errors.

Here are some other examples of syntax errors in SQL:

• Using a reserved word as a column name.
• Using a keyword in the wrong place.
• Using the wrong data type for a column.
• Missing a semicolon at the end of a statement.

If you encounter a syntax error, you need to identify the cause of the error and take steps to fix it. Here are some possible solutions:

• Check the syntax of your SQL statement carefully.
• Use a SQL syntax checker.
• Break down your SQL statement into smaller parts.
• Ask for help from a database expert.

By following these tips, you can help to avoid syntax errors and keep your SQL queries running smoothly.