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The SELECT statement is one of the most commonly used commands in SQL. It allows you to retrieve data from a database. Its versatility and effectiveness make it an essential tool for any SQL programmer.
What is the SELECT Statement?
The SELECT statement is used to select data from a database. The data returned is stored in a result table, called the result-set.
Basic Syntax
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SELECT column1, column2, ... FROM table_name; |
Here, column1, column2,… are the field names of the table you want to select data from. If you want to select all the fields available in the table, then use the following syntax:
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SELECT * FROM table_name; |
Examples of SELECT Statements
Example 1: SELECT Specific Columns
Let’s assume we have a table called ‘Students’ with columns ‘FirstName’, ‘LastName’, and ‘Age’. If we want to select only ‘FirstName’ and ‘LastName’ for all students, the SQL query would look like this:
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SELECT FirstName, LastName FROM Students; |
Example 2: SELECT All Columns
If you want to select all the data from the ‘Students’ table, then use the following command with an asterisk (*) :
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SELECT * FROM Students; |
Conclusion
To become a master at using the SQL SELECT statement, practice is key! Try writing various queries, selecting different fields from your chosen table. Experiment with larger databases and various table structures. In time, you’ll become more comfortable with the SELECT statement, unlocking your ability to handle any data retrieval task with confidence.