SQL is the short-form for Structured Query Language. Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to perform tasks on databases. A database is a collection of data that has been organized to make it simple to maintain and update. Datasets or files containing information, including transaction data, client information, financial data, and product details, are often aggregated and stored in computer databases.
Any type of data may be stored, maintained, and accessed using databases. They gather data on individuals, locations, or objects. It is collected in one location to be seen and examined. You might think of databases as a well-organized data collection.
We’ll dive deep into SQL basics in this SQL server tutorial.
What is SQL?
Database communication is made possible by the computer language known as SQL, or Structured Query Language. It may be used to create new tables for storing data or add information to existing ones. The data already available in the database may be retrieved using SQL queries. Additionally, SQL may be used to do simple-to-complex calculations on data.
One of SQL’s primary benefits is its capacity to operate on massive datasets. The SQL functions as an enabler for you to deal with the information, terabytes of it if necessary, while the database offers a very high speed of computation and data processing.
SQL is used by most RDBMS(Relational Database Management Systems) out there. A few examples of RDBMS are:
- MySQL
- Oracle SQL
- PostgreSQL
- IBM
- Microsoft SQL Server
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Getting comfortable with SQL commands
SQL is mainly used for CRUD operations on databases, i.e., Create, Read, Update and Delete. The most commonly used commands are mentioned below in this SQL tutorial –
SELECT
Example: SELECT * FROM EMPLOYEES
The command SELECT is used to extract or collect data from a database.
UPDATE
Example: UPDATE table_name
This command updates the database after setting new values for columns or rows.
DELETE
Example: DELETE FROM table_name
This command deletes the data from a database.
CREATE TABLE
Example: CREATE TABLE table_name( column1 datatype,
column2 datatype,
column3 datatype,
….
);
This command creates a new table in the database where the user is operating.
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ALTER TABLE
Example: ALTER TABLE table_name
ADD column_name datatype;
The command ALTER TABLE is used to modify a table in a database schema.
DROP TABLE
Example: DROP TABLE table_name
This command is used to delete a table from an existing database.
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What are Keys in SQL?
Individual records or rows of data in the table can be uniquely identified using keys. It helps establish and recognize links between table row rows.
The various types of keys are:
Primary Key: The primary key is used to identify each instance of an object distinctly. There is only one primary key per schema. This key can be a unique number or a unique string across the entire table.
Foreign Key: A database schema’s foreign keys are columns that refer to another table’s primary key. A foreign key can act as the primary key for another table.
Composite Key: A primary key is referred to as a composite key if it includes multiple attributes (more than one).
Candidate Key: Other than the primary key, all other attributes are considered candidate keys.
Super Key: A super key is a group of characteristics used to identify a tuple in a specific way.
Joins in SQL
To merge information from two or more tables based on a shared field, SQL allows us to make that happen with a simple command ‘JOIN’. The following list includes many join types:
- INNER JOIN: As long as the condition is met, the INNER JOIN command selects all rows from the tables mentioned. This keyword will generate the result set by merging all the rows from the tables said that satisfy a particular requirement.
- RIGHT JOIN: This join retrieves all records from the table on the right and matching rows from the table on the left.
- LEFT JOIN: This join collects and displays all records from the table on the left and those that match the table on the right.
- FULL OUTER JOIN: This join retrieves records when there is a match in the left or right table records.
Advantages of using SQL
While SQL has significant limitations, such as a simple interface and cost constraints, the benefits exceed the cons. SQL is incredibly accessible across all platforms, and its ease of use allows anybody to become adept.
One should consider the following advantages of moving to SQL:
- SQL is an incredibly portable language: It is compatible with PCs, laptops, virtual machines, servers, and specific mobile devices. One can quickly run it on their local host ports. Any person on the same IP address can access it, provided they have the password to the database schema. Its mobility makes it an excellent alternative for consumers because they can easily share anything from one machine to another.
- There is no requirement for coding knowledge. Coding can take a lot of experience and understanding before it can be used, making it difficult for others to understand. SQL, however, does not need coding expertise, only the usage of basic terms such as “CREATE”, “ALTER”, “FROM”, etc.
- It offers a variety of data perspectives. When using SQL, you may construct different views of one database, offering users distinct perspectives on the structure and content of the database.
- Its code is open source. MySQL, PostgreSQL, and most database management systems provide accessible SQL code that people may use for free. SQL is used by most major database management systems, including those from IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft. The accessibility of SQL is an important consideration.
Conclusion
SQL has long been popular in the IT industry for a while now. Every business or any computerized service has databases now. It is probably one of the most popular programming languages today, yet few realize that it helped to birth an industry, the RDBMS, which promotes efficient and structured data access.
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