code: def select(self, columns, name='', style='Python'):
          
          command = 'select ' + columns + ' from $1'
          if name:
              command += ' giving ' + name
          return tablecommand(command, style, [self])
docs: Select columns and return the result as a reference table.
  
          This method represents the SELECT part of a TaQL command using the
          given columns (or column expressions). It forms a
          `TaQL <../../doc/199.html>`_
          command from the given arguments and executes it using the
          :func:`taql` function.
          The result is returned in a so-called reference table which references
          the columns and rows in the original table. Usually a reference
          table is temporary, but it can be made persistent by giving it a name.
          Note that a reference table is handled as any table, thus can be
          queried again.
  
          `columns`
            The columns to be selected (projection in data base terms). It is a
            single string in which commas have to be used to separate column
            names. Apart from column names, expressions can be given as well.
          `name`
            The name of the reference table if it is to be made persistent.
          `style`
            The TaQL syntax style to be used (defaults to Python).