What is SQL
Server
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a
computer language aimed to store, manipulate, and query data stored in
relational databases. The first incarnation of SQL appeared in 1974, when a
group in IBM developed the first prototype of a relational database. The first
commercial relational database was released by Relational Software (Later becoming
Oracle).
Standards for SQL exist. However, the
SQL that can be used on each one of the major RDBMS today is in different
flavors. This is due to two reasons: 1) the SQL command standard is fairly
complex, and it is not practical to implement the entire standard,
and 2) each database vendor needs a way to differentiate its
product from others. In this tutorial, such differences are noted where
appropriate.
This SQL programming help site lists
commonly-used SQL statements, and is divided into the following sections:
SQL Commands: Basic SQL statements
for storing, retrieving, and manipulating data in a relational database.
Table Manipulation: How SQL
statements are used to manage tables inside the database.
SQL String Functions: Common string
functions used in SQL.
SQL Date Functions: Common date
functions used in SQL.
Advanced SQL: Advanced SQL commands.
SQL Syntax: A single page that lists
the syntax for all the SQL commands in this tutorial.
For each command, the SQL syntax will
first be presented and explained, followed by an example. By the end of this
tutorial, you should have a good general understanding of the SQL syntax, and
be able to write SQL queries using the correct syntax. My experience is that
understanding the basics of SQL is much easier than mastering all the
intricacies of this database language, and I hope you will reach the same
conclusion as well.
EmoticonEmoticon