Quotes
Identifiers in SQL often need dialect-specific quoting. Use dialect.Quote("part1", "part2") (e.g. psql.Quote, mysql.Quote, sqlite.Quote) to build a qualified quoted name: "schema"."table" on PostgreSQL/SQLite, `schema`.`table` on MySQL.
Bob uses two patterns:
stringparameters that mean a single SQL identifier — the dialect quotes them when rendering (you pass"kind", SQL gets"kind").anyparameters — rendered withbob.Express. Passdialect.Quote(...)for identifiers; a barestringis written verbatim (table names without quotes, SQL fragments, function names likegenerate_series).
For qualified column names in SET / ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE, use SetExpr (or im.UpdateCol on MySQL), not SetCol.
When the API quotes for you
| API / parameter | Dialects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
sm/im/um/dm/mm.With(name, columns...) | psql, mysql, sqlite | CTE name and column list |
sm.Window(name) | psql, mysql, sqlite | Named window |
wm.BasedOn(name) | psql, mysql, sqlite | Reference to existing window |
im.OnConflictOnConstraint(name) | psql, sqlite | Constraint name |
um/dm.WhereCurrentOf(cursor) | psql | Cursor name |
um/im/mm.SetCol("col") | psql; um/im on sqlite; um + im.UpdateCol on mysql | LHS of single-column SET |
um/im/mm.SetCols("a", "b") | psql only | Tuple assignment (a, b) = ... |
mm.Columns("a", "b") | psql only | MERGE ... INSERT (a, b) column list |
im.SetExcluded("a", "b") | psql, sqlite | "a" = EXCLUDED."a", ... |
im.Excluded("col") | psql, sqlite | EXCLUDED."col" |
im.Into(table, "c1", "c2") | all | Insert column names (table is any, see below) |
FromChain.As(alias, "c1", ...) | all | Table alias and optional rename columns |
JoinChain.Using("c1", "c2") | all | USING column names |
OrderBy(...).Collate(name) | all | Collation name |
fm.Columns("col", datatype) | psql | Column name in table-function definition (datatype is literal SQL) |
When you pass any and use Quote() yourself
| API / parameter | Typical use |
|---|---|
sm.From(table) | From("users") → unquoted; From(psql.Quote("users")) or From(psql.Quote("public", "users")) when quoted |
im.Into(name, ...) | Into(psql.Quote("distributors"), "did", "dname") — table any, columns still string and auto-quoted |
um.Table(name) / TableAs(name, alias) | Table(psql.Quote("employees")); alias is a string and quoted via WriteQuoted |
dm.From / mm.Into / mm.Using | Same as From / Into |
sm.Columns(...) | Columns(psql.Quote("id")) — each item is any |
im.OnConflict(...) | OnConflict(psql.Quote("id")) |
Returning(...) | Returning(psql.Quote("id")) |
sm.ForUpdate / ForShare / ForNoKeyUpdate / ForKeyShare | ForUpdate(psql.Quote("my_table")) |
sm.OrderBy / GroupBy / Having | Expression or Quote as needed |
psql.F(name, args...) | F("generate_series", 1, 3) — literal name; F(psql.Quote("pg_catalog", "array_agg"), col) for qualified |
Cast(exp, typname string) appends the type name as literal text (not an identifier slot).
Examples
// Qualified quoted name
psql.Quote("schema_name", "table_name") // "schema_name"."table_name"
// Column in SET (quoted automatically)
um.SetCol("kind").ToArg("Drama")
// Qualified column in SET (SetExpr = SetCol with an expression LHS)
um.SetExpr(psql.Quote("employees", "id")).ToArg(1)
// Several assignments in um.Set (EQ omits comparison parentheses in SET)
um.Set(
psql.Quote("employees", "dept_id").EQ(psql.Quote("accounts", "dept_id")),
)
// MERGE update
mm.SetCol("price").To(psql.Quote("u", "price"))
// Table in FROM (pass Quote when you want quoting)
sm.From(psql.Quote("films"))
// Function name
psql.F(psql.Quote("pg_catalog", "array_agg"), psql.Quote("x"))
