Structured Query Language (SQL)
About
SQL is a widely used language for data retrieval and manipulation in databases.
Over the years, the SQL language has been standardized by ANSI and adopted by a large number of database manufacturers.
SQL original intent was to provide ad-hoc access to data derived from the definition of the relational data model — but not as a development language or as a database interface tool. With the advent of ODBC, Jdbcc and other generic interfaces, SQL became the de-facto standard used to manipulate databases.
Because the SQL language is English-like in its structure, it is easy to learn and understand. The basic SQL directives are:
- SELECT to read and return data
- UPDATE to alter existing data records
- INSERT to add records
- DELETE to remove data records
SQL is inherently transactional.
