For an instructor lead, in-depth look at learning SQL click below.
Welcome to the fascinating world of SQL! In this beginner’s guide, we’ll take you through the basics of SQL scripting and, by the end of this tutorial, you’ll be writing SQL scripts like a pro. Let’s get started.
What is SQL?
SQL, (pronounced “sequel”), stands for Structured Query Language. It is a programming language used by programmers to communicate with relational databases. The power of SQL lies in its simplicity – once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to access and manipulate data with a few simple queries.
Basic SQL Queries
SELECT Statement
One of the most common commands in SQL is the SELECT statement, which allows you to select data from a database. The syntax is pretty straightforward:
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SELECT column1, column2, ... FROM table_name; |
If you want to select all columns from a table, just replace the column names with an asterisk (*).
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SELECT * FROM table_name; |
WHERE Clause
To filter the results of a query, we use the WHERE clause. Let’s take a look:
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SELECT column1, column2, ... FROM table_name WHERE condition; |
INSERT INTO Statement
To insert new data into a table, we use the INSERT INTO statement as follows:
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INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, column3, ...) VALUES (value1, value2, value3, ...); |
Conclusion
SQL scripting is a fundamental skill for managing and analysing data in databases. While we’ve only scratched the surface here, understanding and mastering these basic SQL commands and concepts will put you on the fast track to becoming proficient in SQL scripting. Stay tuned for more in-depth guides, and happy coding!