Final answer:
In SQL, a column alias with a blank space must be enclosed in double quotation marks to ensure that the database system correctly interprets it as a single entity. Otherwise, the parts of the alias separated by the space are mistaken for individual elements, potentially causing errors.
Step-by-step explanation:
In SQL, when you use an alias for a column that contains a blank space, the alias needs to be enclosed within double quotation marks to be correctly recognized by the database system. This is because without the quotation marks, the database system would interpret the parts separated by the space as individual elements rather than a single entity. By enclosing the alias in double quotation marks, you preserve the integrity of the alias name. As an example, if you had a column alias named Total Revenue, your SQL statement might look something like this:
SELECT monthly_sales AS "Total Revenue" FROM sales_data;
Not adhering to this syntax could result in an error or unexpected behavior in your database query.