SQL Basics

Introduction to Standard Query Language

SQL What Is It?

Structured Query Language Common Language For Variety of Databases ANSI Standard BUT. Two Types of SQL
DML Data Manipulation Language (SELECT) DDL Data Definition Language (CREATE TABLE)

Where To Use

SQL*Plus TOAD SQL Navigator ODBC Supported Connections

Excel Access Lotus 1-2-3

Heart of PL/SQL

Pros & Cons of SQL

Pros:
Very flexible Universal (Oracle, Access, Paradox, etc) Relatively Few Commands to Learn

Cons:
Requires Detailed Knowledge of the Structure of the Database Can Provide Misleading Results

Basic SQL Components

SELECT schema.table.column FROM table alias

WHERE [conditions] ORDER BY [columns] ;

Defines the end of an SQL statement Some programs require it, some do not (TOAD Does Not) Needed only if multiple SQL statements run in a script

Optional Elements

SELECT Statement

SELECT Statement Defines WHAT is to be returned (separated by commas)

* Mean All Columns From All Tables In the FROM Statement Example: SELECT state_code, state_name

Database Columns (From Tables or Views) Constant Text Values Formulas Pre-defined Functions Group Functions (COUNT, SUM, MAX, MIN, AVG)

FROM Statement

Defines the Table(s) or View(s) Used by the SELECT or WHERE Statements You MUST Have a FROM statement Multiple Tables/Views are separated by Commas

Examples

SELECT state_name, state_abbr FROM states SELECT * FROM agencies SELECT arithmetic_mean minimum_value FROM annual_summaries

WHERE Clause

Optional Defines what records are to be included in the query Uses Conditional Operators

=, >, >=, <, <=, != (<>) BETWEEN x AND y IN (list) LIKE %string (% is a wild-card) IS NULL NOT {BETWEEN / IN / LIKE / NULL}

Multiple Conditions Linked with AND & OR Statements Strings Contained Within SINGLE QUOTES!!

AND & OR

Multiple WHERE conditions are Linked by AND / OR Statements AND Means All Conditions are TRUE for the Record OR Means at least 1 of the Conditions is TRUE You May Group Statements with ( ) BE CAREFUL MIXING AND & OR Conditions

Examples with WHERE

SELECT * FROM annual_summaries WHERE sd_duration_code = 1 SELECT state_name FROM states WHERE state_population > 15000000

More Examples

SELECT state_name, state_population FROM states WHERE state_name LIKE %NORTH% SELECT * FROM annual_summaries WHERE sd_duration_code IN (1, W, X) AND annual_summary_year = 2000

Be Careful!

SELECT mo_mo_id, sd_duration_code FROM annual_summaries WHERE annual_summary_year = 2003 AND values_gt_pri_std > 0 OR values_gt_sec_std > 0 SELECT mo_mo_id, sd_duration_code FROM annual_summaries WHERE annual_summary_year = 2003 AND (values_gt_pri_std > 0 OR values_gt_sec_std > 0)

ORDER BY Statement

Defines How the Records are to be Sorted Must be in the SELECT statement to be ORDER BY Default is to order in ASC (Ascending) order Can Sort in Reverse (Descending) Order with DESC After the Column Name

ORDER BY Example

SELECT * FROM agencies ORDER BY agency_desc SELECT cc_cn_stt_state_code, site_id FROM sites WHERE lut_land_use_type = MOBILE ORDER BY cc_cn_stt_state_code DESC

Group Functions

Performs Common Mathematical Operations on a Group of Records Must define what Constitutes a Group by Using the GROUP BY Clause All non-Group elements in the SELECT Statement Must be in the GROUP BY Clause (Additional Columns are Optional)

Group By Example

SELECT si_si_id, COUNT(mo_id) FROM monitors GROUP BY si_si_id SELECT AVG(max_sample_value) FROM summary_maximums WHERE max_level <= 3 AND max_ind = REG GROUP BY ans_ans_id

OK, I understand How to Get Data From 1 Table What about Multiple Tables?
V_MONITOR_ID
MO_ID AIRS_MONITOR_ID STATE_CODE COUNTY_CODE SITE_ID PARAMETER_CODE POC

MONITORS

PARAMETERS

MO_ID SI_SI_ID PA_PARAMETER_CODE POC

PARAMETER_CODE PARAMETER_DESC

Primary & Foreign Keys

Primary Keys
1 or More Columns Used to Uniquely Identify a record. All Columns Defined as PKs MUST be populated

Foreign Keys

Value on a table that references a Primary Key from a different table

Primary & Foreign Keys

SITES
SI_ID% SITE_LATITUDE SITE_LONGITUDE STREET_ADDRESS

V_MONITOR_ID
MO_ID STATE_CODE COUNTY_CODE SITE_ID PARAMETER_CODE POC

MONITORS

PARAMETERS

PARAMETER_CODE% PARAMETER_DESC

MO_ID% SI_SI_ID* PA_PARAMETER_CODE* POC

* = Foreign Key % = Primary Key

Joining Tables
PARAMETERS
MO_ID SI_SI_ID MONITORS PA_PARAMETER_CODE POC

Parameter_Code 44201 42101 42401 81102

Parameter_Desc Ozone CO

1 2 3 4

1 1 1 2 2 3

44201 42101 42101 81102 44201 42401

1 1 2 1 1 1

SO2 PM10

5 6

Default behavior is to show every possible combination between the two tables

Cartesian Join / Simple Join

SELECT mo_id, poc, parameter_desc FROM monitors, parameters
PARAMETERS
MO_ID SI_SI_ID MONITORS PA_PARAMETER_CODE POC

Parameter_Code 44201 42101 42401 81102

Parameter_Desc Ozone CO

1 2 3 4

1 1 1 2 2 3

44201 42101 42101 81102 44201 42401

1 1 2 1 1 1

SO2 PM10

5 6

Joining Tables
SELECT mo_id, poc, parameter_desc FROM monitors, parameters WHERE pa_parameter_code = parameter_code
MONITORS MO_ID SI_SI_ID PA_PARAMETER_CODE POC

PARAMETERS Parameter_Code 44201 42101 42401 81102 Parameter_Desc Ozone CO 4 SO2 PM10 5 6 2 2 3

1 2 3

1 1 1

44201 42101 42101 81102 44201 42401

1 1 2 1 1 1

Joining Tables

Joins Between Tables are Usually Based on Primary / Foreign Keys Make Sure Joins Between All Tables in the FROM Clause Exist List Joins Between Tables Before Other Selection Elements

Aliases

Shorthand for Table or Column References SELECT Aliases Appear as Column Headers in the Output Aliases Cannot be Keywords

Previous SQL With Aliases

SELECT mo.mo_id, mo.poc, pa.parameter_desc parameter FROM monitors mo, parameters pa WHERE mo.pa_parameter_code = pa.parameter_code

Why Use an Alias?

Saves Typing Good Internal Documentation Better Headers If the same column name exists on multiple tables, SQL needs a way to know which element you are referencing (MO_MO_ID for example)

Recap

Basic Structural Elements

SELECT FROM WHERE ORDER BY GROUP BY Join Multiple Tables via Primary & Foreign Keys Aliases

Selecting From Multiple Tables