For an instructor lead, in-depth look at learning SQL click below.
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a universal language for managing and manipulating databases. Its power stands in the ability to make complex data look simple and easily understandable. Whether you’re aspiring to become a data analyst, a backend developer, or someone who’s just looking to gain insights from your business data, learning SQL is a start. Let’s dive in and uncover this fascinating language together!
Understanding the Basics of SQL
SQL stands for “Structured Query Language”. It is used to communicate with databases and perform tasks such as data retrieval, updates, inserts and deletes. Essentially, whenever you want to work with a database, SQL is your tool.
|
1 2 3 |
SELECT * FROM Customers; |
In the above code, SELECT * is an instruction that tells SQL to fetch all data. FROM Customers; specifies from which table in the database.
Getting Familiar with SQL Statements
A SQL query consists of SQL statements. These statements are the atomic unit of work in SQL. Each SQL statement consists of some SQL command and arguments to that command.
Select Statement
|
1 2 3 4 |
SELECT column1, column2 FROM table_name; |
The SELECT statement is used to select data from a database. The data returned is stored in a result table, called the result-set.
Insert Statement
|
1 2 3 4 |
INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2) VALUES (value1, value2); |
The INSERT INTO statement is used to insert new records in a table.
Update Statement
|
1 2 3 4 5 |
UPDATE table_name SET column1 = value1, column2 = value2 WHERE condition; |
The UPDATE statement is used to modify existing records in a table.
Delete Statement
|
1 2 3 4 |
DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition; |
Finally, the DELETE statement, which is used to delete existing records in a table.
On the Path to Mastery
Mastering SQL is a journey, and like any journey, the first steps can seem daunting. However, with practice, patience, and persistence, it becomes a powerful tool in your hands. Whether your goal is to become a database administrator, backend developer, or enter the data science world, SQL is a foundational skill that will serve you well.