What is SQL
What is SQL
What is SQL?
Data is at the core of every application, and SQL (Structured Query Language) manages and
interacts with this data. Whether we’re handling a small user database or
analyzing terabytes of sales records, SQL allows efficient querying, updating,
and management of relational databases.
When data needs to be retrieved from a database, SQL is used to construct and send the
request. The Database Management System (DBMS) processes the SQL query, retrieves the
requested data, and returns it to the user or application. Instead of specifying step-by-step
procedures, SQL statements describe what data should be retrieved, organized, or modified,
allowing the DBMS to handle how the operations are executed efficiently.
In common usage, SQL encompasses DDL and DML commands
for CREATE, UPDATE, MODIFY, or other operations on database structure.
SQL History
SQL was invented in 1970s and was first commercially distributed by Oracle.
The original name was given by IBM as Structured English Query Language, abbreviated
by the acronym SEQUEL.
Components of a SQL System
A SQL system consists of several key components that work together to enable efficient data
storage, retrieval, and manipulation. Understanding these components is crucial for
mastering SQL and its role in relational database systems. Some of the Key components of a
SQL System are:
Databases: Databases are structured collections of data organized into tables, rows, and
columns. Databases serve as repositories for storing information efficiently and provide a
way to manage and access data.
Tables: Tables are the fundamental building blocks of a database, consisting of rows
(records) and columns (attributes or fields). Tables ensure data integrity and consistency by
defining the structure and relationships of the stored information.
Queries: Queries are SQL commands used to interact with databases. They enable users to
retrieve, update, insert, or delete data from tables, allowing for efficient data manipulation
and retrieval.
Constraints: Constraints are rules applied to tables to maintain data
integrity. Constraints define conditions that data must meet to be stored in the database,
ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Stored Procedures: Stored procedures are pre-compiled SQL statements stored in the
database. Stored procedures can accept parameters, execute complex operations, and return
results, enhancing efficiency, reusability, and security in database management.
Transactions: Transactions are groups of SQL statements that are executed as a single unit
of work. Transactions ensure data consistency and integrity by allowing for the rollback of
changes if any part of the transaction fails.
Some other important components include:
Data Types
Indexes
Views
Security and Permissions
Joins
SQL Injection is a cyberattack where malicious SQL queries are injected into input fields to
manipulate a database, enabling unauthorized access, data modification, or corruption. Using
parameterized queries and input validation helps prevent such attacks.
What are the Characteristics of SQL?
User-Friendly and Accessible: SQL is designed for a broad range of users, including
those with minimal programming experience, making it approachable for non-technical
individuals.
Declarative Language: As a non-procedural language, SQL allows users to specify what
data is needed rather than how to retrieve it, focusing on the desired results rather than the
retrieval process.
Efficient Database Management: SQL enables the creation, modification, and
management of databases efficiently, saving time and simplifying complex database
operations.
Standardized Language: Based on ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, SQL ensures consistency
and stability across various database management systems (DBMS).
Command Structure: SQL does not require a continuation character for multi-line
queries, allowing flexibility in writing commands across one or multiple lines.
Execution Mechanism: Queries are executed using a termination character (e.g., a
semicolon ;), enabling immediate and accurate command processing.
Built-in Functionality: SQL includes a rich set of built-in functions for data manipulation,
aggregation, and formatting, empowering users to handle diverse data-processing needs
effectively.
How SQL Works?
Structured Query Language (SQL) operates on a server machine, where it processes database
queries and returns results efficiently. Below are the key software components involved in the
SQL execution process.
1. Input: The process begins when a user submits an SQL query through a database interface
or application. This query typically specifies the desired operation, such as data retrieval,
insertion, updating, or deletion.
2. Parsing: The query is passed to the query processor, which breaks it into smaller units
called tokens. These tokens represent keywords, table names, column names, and other
elements of the query. The processor then validates the syntax against SQL standards and
the database schema to ensure the query is well-formed and executable.
3. Optimization: After parsing, the query is handed to the optimizer, which evaluates
multiple ways to execute the query. The optimizer considers factors like indexes, table
statistics, and available resources to generate the most efficient execution plan. This step
ensures that the query runs with minimal resource consumption and maximum
performance.
4. Execution: The execution engine follows the plan provided by the optimizer. It interacts
with the storage engine, which retrieves, manipulates, or updates the required data from the
database tables. During this step, SQL statements like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or
DELETE are translated into actions performed on the underlying data.
5. Output: Once the execution engine processes the query, the result is formatted and
returned to the user. Depending on the query type, the output could be a result set (for
SELECT queries) or an acknowledgment of the operation (for INSERT, UPDATE, or
DELETE queries).
By combining these steps, SQL ensures the seamless interaction between users and relational
databases, enabling efficient data manipulation and retrieval.
Rules for Writing SQL Queries
There are certain rules for SQL which would ensure consistency and functionality across
databases. By following these rules, queries will be well formed and well executed in any
database.
Statement Termination: Every SQL statement ends with a semicolon (;), signaling the
DBMS to execute the command.
Case Insensitivity: SQL keywords (e.g., SELECT, INSERT) are case-insensitive, but
database names and column names may be case-sensitive depending on the DBMS.
Whitespace Flexibility: SQL statements can span multiple lines, but keywords and
identifiers must be separated by at least one space.
Unique Identifiers: Reserved words (e.g., SELECT, FROM) cannot be used as table or
column names unless enclosed in double quotes (") or backticks (`), depending on the
DBMS.
Comments: Comments enhance readability:
o Single-line comments: --
o Multi-line comments: /* ... */
Data Integrity: Constraints like NOT NULL, UNIQUE, and PRIMARY KEY must be
defined correctly to maintain data consistency.
String Literals: String values must be enclosed in single quotes (').
Valid Identifiers: Table and column names must:
o Begin with an alphabetic character.
o Contain up to 30 characters.
o Avoid special characters except underscores (_).
By following these rules, SQL users ensure reliable query execution and maintainable database
structures.
What are SQL Commands?
Structured Query Language (SQL) commands are standardized instructions used by developers
to interact with data stored in relational databases. These commands allow for the creation,
manipulation, retrieval, and control of data, as well as database structures. SQL commands
are categorized based on their specific functionalities:
1. Data Definition Language
These commands are used to define the structure of database objects by creating, altering,
and dropping the database objects. Based on the needs of the business, database engineers
create and modify database objects using DDL. The CREATE command, for instance, is used
by the database engineer to create database objects like tables, views, and indexes.
Command Description
CREATE Creates a new table, a view on a table, or some other object in the database.
DROP Deletes an entire table, a view of a table, or other objects in the database
Saves all changes made during the current transaction on a permanent basis.
Some databases provide an auto-commit feature, which can be configured
COMMIT using settings.
Sets a point within a transaction to which changes can be rolled back, allowing
SAVEPOINT partial rollbacks
Benefits of SQL
Efficiency: SQL is designed to handle complex queries and large datasets with optimal
performance, making data retrieval and manipulation seamless.
Standardization: As an ANSI and ISO standard language, SQL provides a universal
method to interact with relational databases across platforms.
Scalability: SQL supports databases ranging from small-scale applications to enterprise-
level systems, ensuring smooth operations regardless of size.
Flexibility: SQL can be extended with procedural programming (e.g., PL/SQL, T-SQL) to
build complex business logic and custom functions.
Limitations of SQL
Complexity in Advanced Operations: Advanced functionalities such as indexing, query
optimization, and performance tuning require in-depth technical knowledge.
Scalability Concerns: SQL performs best with structured data; handling unstructured data
or massive distributed systems can pose challenges.
Platform-Specific Variations: While SQL is standardized, many databases implement
unique extensions, leading to portability and compatibility issues.
SQL Use Cases
E-Commerce: Manage customer orders, product catalogs, and inventory.
Healthcare: Maintain patient records and appointment schedules.
Banking: Analyze transaction histories and generate financial reports.
Web Development: Power dynamic websites with user-specific content.
Machine Learning and Data Science: Combine SQL databases with tools like Python, R,
and TensorFlow to streamline machine learning workflows.
Conclusion
SQL(Structured Query Language) is a programming language designed for managing and
manipulating data stored in relational databases. It is used for interacting with DBMS like
MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.
MySQL Data Types (Version 8.0) What are SQL Data Types?
SQL data types define the kind of data a column can store, dictating how the database
manages and interacts with the data. Each data type in SQL specifies a set of allowed values,
as well as the operations that can be performed on the values.
SQL data types are broadly categorized into several groups:
Numeric Data Types
Character and String Data Types
Date and Time Data Types
Binary Data Types
Boolean Data Types
Special Data Types
1. Numeric Data Types
Numeric data types are fundamental to database design and are used to store numbers, whether
they are integers, decimals, or floating-point numbers. These data types allow for mathematical
operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, which makes them
essential for managing financial, scientific, and analytical data.
Exact Numeric Datatype
Exact numeric types are used when precise numeric values are needed, such as for financial
data, quantities, and counts. Some common exact numeric types include:
Data Type Description Range
-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to
BIGINT Large integer numbers
9,223,372,036,854,775,807
-922,337,203,685,477.5808 to
MONEY For storing monetary values
922,337,203,685,477.5807
store both the data and time (year, month, day, hour, minute,
DATETIME 8 Bytes
second)
XML Datatype Used to store XML data and manipulate XML structures in the database
Geometry stores planar spatial data, such as points, lines, and polygons, in a database table.
Conclusion
SQL Data Types are the fundamental building blocks of relational database design.
Understanding which data type to use for each column is essential for ensuring data
integrity, optimizing storage, and improving performance. Whether we are working
with numerical data, text, dates, or binary data, choosing the appropriate data type will help
maintain a well-structured and efficient database. By mastering SQL data types, we can build
robust, high-performance databases that meet the needs of any application.
SQL Commands | DDL, DQL, DML, DCL and TCL Commands
SQL commands are crucial for managing databases effectively. These commands are divided
into categories such as Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML),
Data Control Language (DCL), Data Query Language (DQL), and Transaction Control
Language (TCL).
In this article, we will explain the different types of SQL commands,
including DDL, DML, DCL, DQL, and TCL. These SQL sublanguages serve specific
purposes and are important for effective database management.
What are SQL Commands?
SQL commands are the fundamental building blocks for communicating with a database
management system (DBMS). It is used to interact with the database with some operations. It is
also used to perform specific tasks, functions, and queries of data. SQL can perform various
tasks like creating a table, adding data to tables, dropping the table, modifying the table, set
permission for users.
SQL Commands are mainly categorized into five categories:
DDL – Data Definition Language
DQL – Data Query Language
DML – Data Manipulation Language
DCL – Data Control Language
TCL - Transaction Control Language
1. DDL - Data Definition Language
DDL or Data Definition Language actually consists of the SQL commands that can be used
for defining, altering, and deleting database structures such as tables, indexes, and schemas. It
simply deals with descriptions of the database schema and is used to create and modify the
structure of database objects in the database
Common DDL Commands
Command Description Syntax
Example:
CREATE TABLE employees (
employee_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
first_name VARCHAR(50),
last_name VARCHAR(50),
hire_date DATE
);
In this example, a new table called employees is created with columns for employee ID, first
name, last name, and hire date.
2. DQL - Data Query Language
DQL statements are used for performing queries on the data within schema objects. The
purpose of the DQL Command is to get some schema relation based on the query passed to
it. This command allows getting the data out of the database to perform operations with it. When
a SELECT is fired against a table or tables the result is compiled into a further temporary table,
which is displayed or perhaps received by the program.
DQL Command
Command Description Syntax
Example:
SELECT first_name, last_name, hire_date
FROM employees
WHERE department = 'Sales'
ORDER BY hire_date DESC;
This query retrieves employees' first and last names, along with their hire dates, from the
employees table, specifically for those in the 'Sales' department, sorted by hire date.
3. DML - Data Manipulation Language
The SQL commands that deal with the manipulation of data present in the database belong
to DML or Data Manipulation Language and this includes most of the SQL statements. It is the
component of the SQL statement that controls access to data and to the database. Basically, DCL
statements are grouped with DML statements.
Common DML Commands
Command Description Syntax
Table control
LOCK LOCK TABLE table_name IN lock_mode;
concurrency
Call a PL/SQL or
CALL CALL procedure_name(arguments);
JAVA subprogram
Example:
INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name, department)
VALUES ('Jane', 'Smith', 'HR');
This query inserts a new record into the employees table with the first name 'Jane', last name
'Smith', and department 'HR'.
4. DCL - Data Control Language
DCL (Data Control Language) includes commands such as GRANT and REVOKE which
mainly deal with the rights, permissions, and other controls of the database system. These
commands are used to control access to data in the database by granting or revoking
permissions.
Common DCL Commands
Command Description Syntax
Example of DCL
GRANT SELECT, UPDATE ON employees TO user_name;
This command grants the user user_name the permissions to select and update records in the
employees table.
5. TCL - Transaction Control Language
Transactions group a set of tasks into a single execution unit. Each transaction begins with a
specific task and ends when all the tasks in the group are successfully completed. If any of
the tasks fail, the transaction fails. Therefore, a transaction has only two
results: success or failure. We can explore more about transactions here.
Common TCL Commands
Command Description Syntax
the transaction
Example:
BEGIN TRANSACTION;
UPDATE employees SET department = 'Marketing' WHERE department = 'Sales';
SAVEPOINT before_update;
UPDATE employees SET department = 'IT' WHERE department = 'HR';
ROLLBACK TO SAVEPOINT before_update;
COMMIT;
In this example, a transaction is started, changes are made, and a savepoint is set. If needed, the
transaction can be rolled back to the savepoint before being committed.
Most Important SQL Commands
There are also a few other SQL Commands we often rely on when writing powerful queries.
While they don’t fit neatly into the five main categories, they’re absolutely essential for working
with data effectively.
Command Description
TRUNCATE TABLE Removes all rows from a table but keeps its structure intact.
GROUP BY Groups rows that have the same values in specified columns.
JOIN Combines rows from two or more tables based on a related column.
IN / BETWEEN /
Used for advanced filtering conditions.
LIKE
Conclusion
SQL commands such as DDL, DML, DCL, DQL, and TCL are foundational for
effective database management. From creating and modifying tables with DDL commands to
managing transactions with TCL commands in SQL, understanding each type of command
enhances our database skills. Whether we are manipulating data, or managing data, SQL
provides all sets of tools. Now, with this detailed guide, we hope you have gained a deep
understanding of SQL commands, their categories, and syntax with examples.
SQL Operators
SQL operators are important in database management systems (DBMS) as they allow us to
manipulate and retrieve data efficiently. Operators in SQL perform arithmetic, logical,
comparison, bitwise, and other operations to work with database values. Understanding SQL
operators is crucial for performing complex data manipulations, calculations, and filtering
operations in queries.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of SQL operators, including arithmetic
operators, comparison operators, logical operators, bitwise operators, and more. We’ll provide
clear examples to demonstrate how they work, helping you optimize your SQL queries for better
performance and accuracy.
Operators in SQL
SQL operators are symbols or keywords used to perform operations on data in SQL queries.
These operations can include mathematical calculations, data comparisons, logical
manipulations, other data-processing tasks. Operators help in filtering, calculating, and updating
data in databases, making them crucial for query optimization and accurate data management.
Types of SQL Operators
SQL operators can be categorized based on the type of operation they perform. Here are the
primary types of SQL operators:
Arithmetic Operator
Comparison Operator
Logical Operator
Bitwise Operators
Compound Operators
Special Operators
Each of these operators is essential for performing different types of operations on data in SQL
databases.
SQL Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators in SQL are used to perform mathematical operations on numeric data
types in SQL queries. Some common arithmetic operators:
Operator Description
/ This operator works with the 'ALL' keyword and it calculates division operations.
= Equal to.
AND Logical AND compares two Booleans as expressions and returns true when both
expressions are true.
OR Logical OR compares two Booleans as expressions and returns true when one of the
expressions is true.
NOT Not takes a single Boolean as an argument and change its value from false to true or
from true to false.
| Bitwise OR operator
ANY ANY compares a value to each value in a list of results from a query and
evaluates to true if the result of an inner query contains at least one row.
BETWEEN The SQL BETWEEN operator tests an expression against a range. The range
consists of a beginning, followed by an AND keyword and an end expression.
IN The IN operator checks a value within a set of values separated by commas and
retrieves the rows from the table that match.
SOME operator evaluates the condition between the outer and inner tables and
SOME evaluates to true if the final result returns any one row. If not, then it evaluates
to false.
UNIQUE The UNIQUE operator searches every unique row of a specified table.
Conclusion
SQL operators are essential tools for working with data in a relational database. Whether you're
performing arithmetic operations, logical comparisons, bitwise manipulations, or using special
operators to filter data, understanding these operators is key to writing efficient and
effective SQL queries. By mastering SQL operators, we can simplify complex data operations,
enhance query performance, and manipulate data more effectively. Whether you're a beginner or
an advanced SQL user, the knowledge of operators will help you unlock the full potential of
SQL queries and database management systems.