SQL Coding Guidelines

These conventions apply to all SQL written on the BME data platform (SparkSQL, Databricks SQL, T-SQL). The goal is consistency across layers and teams — when in doubt, follow the principle of least surprise: names should be readable, predictable, and close to the source system.

General Rules

• English only — all identifiers, comments, and aliases.
• Lowercase — keywords, identifiers, aliases, CTE names.
• Snake case — sales_amount, order_backlog, not SalesAmount.
• Singular — sales_order, sales_date, not sales_orders.
• Double quotes for string literals.
• Backticks (`) for special-character identifiers in SparkSQL / sink targets — these are excluded from SQL formatting tools.
• Square brackets ([]) for special-character identifiers in legacy T-SQL only.