I have to agree with Grant. What does the formal syntax definition of a select statement specify? I believe it requires whitespace between the SELECT keyword and the select list. The fact that the T-SQL parser has a wiggle (don't know whether it was an intended feature or an unintended consequence of the handling of * in its multiply operator role, so call it a "wiggle" rather than a "feature or a "bug", although I think "bug" would really be more appropriate) which allows it to correct some incorrect syntax doesn't make that syntax correct, it just makes it usable. Of course I may have misinterpreted the BNF definition of the syntax - maybe someone should check me.