SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a language used to manage data in relational database management systems (RDBMS). RDBMSs are the most common type of database, and they are used by businesses, organizations, and individuals to store and manage data.
SQL is a declarative language, which means that you tell the database what you want to do, and the database figures out how to do it. This makes SQL a very powerful language, and it is easy to learn.
Here are some of the most important concepts in SQL and relational databases:
- Data: Data is the raw information that is stored in a database. It can be anything from customer names and addresses to product prices and inventory levels.
- Tables: Tables are the basic building blocks of a relational database. They are made up of rows and columns, and each row represents a single record.
- Columns: Columns are the individual pieces of data that are stored in a table. They are usually named, and they can contain different types of data, such as text, numbers, or dates.
- Rows: Rows are the individual records that are stored in a table. They are made up of columns, and each column represents a different piece of data about the record.
- Relationships: Relationships are the connections between different tables in a database. They allow you to relate data from different tables, which can be very useful for querying and reporting.
- SQL: SQL (Structured Query Language) is the language that is used to interact with databases. It is a powerful language that can be used to perform a variety of tasks, such as querying, updating, and deleting data.
Here are some of the most common SQL commands:
- SELECT: The SELECT command is used to query data from a database.
- UPDATE: The UPDATE command is used to update data in a database.
- DELETE: The DELETE command is used to delete data from a database.
- INSERT: The INSERT command is used to insert data into a database.
- CREATE TABLE: The CREATE TABLE command is used to create a new table in a database.
- DROP TABLE: The DROP TABLE command is used to delete a table from a database.