Structured Query Language (SQL)

Introduction of SQL

  • SQL stands for Structured Query Language.
  • It is a programming language which stores, manipulates and retrieves the stored data in RDBMS.
  • SQL syntax is not case sensitive.
  • SQL is standardized by both ANSI and ISO.
  • It is a standard language for accessing and manipulating databases.

Characteristics of SQL

  • SQL is extremely flexible.
  • SQL uses a free form syntax that gives the ability to user to structure the SQL statements in a best suited way.
  • It is a high level language.
  • It receives natural extensions to its functional capabilities.
  • It can execute queries against the database.

Advantages of SQL

  • SQL provides a greater degree of abstraction than procedural language.
  • It is coded without embedded data-navigational instructions.
  • It enables the end users to deal with a number of database management systems where it is available.
  • It retrieves quickly and efficiently huge amount of records from a database.
  • No coding required while using standard SQL.

Roles of SQL

  • SQL retrieves data from the database. It is an interactive query language.
  • It can be used along with programming language to access data from database. It is a database programming language.
  • It can be used to monitor and control data access by various users. It is a database administration language.
  • It can be used as an Internet data access language.