# Syntax for comments in ij commands

`ij` accepts two forms of comments in commands.

## Syntax

    -- Text

    /* Text */

You can use a double dash to create a comment anywhere within an `ij` command line and as permitted by the underlying connection within SQL commands. The comment is ended at the first new line encountered in the text.

Comments are ignored on input and have no effect on the output displayed.

You can also enclose text in `/* */` characters to create either one-line or multi-line comments. Nested comments are permitted. For example, you could put lines like the following into a script named `comment.sql`:

    /* start the file with a /* nested comment */ and see what happens */
    connect 'jdbc:derby:newdb;create=true';
    values 'hi!';
    create table t (x int);
    /* use a multi-line comment */
    /*
    insert into t values 1, 2, 3;
    insert into t values 4, 5, 6;
    */
    /* end the file with a comment */
    values 'This is a test';
    /* This is also a test */

## Examples

    ij> -- this is a comment;
    -- the semicolons in the comment are not taken as the end
    -- of the command; for that, we put it outside the --:
    ;
    ij>

    ij> run 'comment.sql';
    ij> /* start the file with a /* nested comment */ and see what happens */
    connect 'jdbc:derby:newdb;create=true';
    ij> values 'hi!';
    1
    ---
    hi!

    1 row selected
    ij> create table t (x int);
    0 rows inserted/updated/deleted
    ij> /* use a multi-line comment */
    /*
    insert into t values 1, 2, 3;
    insert into t values 4, 5, 6;
    */
    /* end the file with a comment */
    values 'This is a test';
    1
    --------------
    This is a test

    1 row selected
    ij> /* This is also a test */
    ;
    ij>

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