Introduction to SQL
School:Computer Science -> Topic:Databases -> Topic:SQL
| Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Structured Query Language. |
What is SQL?
SQL is an acronym for Structured Query Language used for managing databases. This unit introduces SQL concepts in terms of structure, client/server relationships, access control, language elements (syntax and semantics) and other common aspects.
There are mainly 3 kinds of statements in SQL:
- DDL (Data Definition Language)
- DML (Data Manipulation Language)
- DCL (Data Control Language)
SQL commands such as CREATE, ALTER & DROP are DDL commands. SQL commands such as INSERT, DELETE & UPDATE are DML commands. GRANT & REVOKE are DCL commands.
Note: All DDL statements are autocommitted; i.e. the user need not perform any commit after executing DDL statements. DML statements do not commit automatically.
For example: TRUNCATE is a DDL statement whereas DELETE is a DML statement.
- TRUNCATE commits automatically.
- DELETE does not commit automatically.
SQL was adopted as a standard by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) in 1986 and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in 1987. This lesson is designed as a prerequisite for product-specific courses that cover the three principal client/server products:
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
Learners interested in SQL should participate at Topic:Databases and might also consider Topic:Object-relational databases.
Language basics
under construction - instructors needed
Resources
- Structured Query Language: Wikibook about the SQL standard, with lots of exercises.
- A Gentle Introduction to SQL By Andrew Cumming - School of Computing, Napier University, Edinburgh, UK. 1999-2005 (Available in Albanian, German, Spanish, Chinese, French, Italian and Portuguese)
- SQL Tutorial at 1Keydata.com
- SQL Quick Reference SQL for common statements across SQL-92, Postgres, Sybase, SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL