What is SQL? Learn SQL Basics, SQL Full Form & How to Use

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What is SQL?

The acronym for Structured Query Language is SQL. For working with databases, it is the de facto standard and most used programming language. Data management and organization in any system with multiple data relationships can be accomplished with this domain-specific language.

SQL Full Form

SQL means Structured Query Language, pronounced as “S-Q-L” or sometimes as “See-Quel”. SQL is a standard language for dealing with Relational Databases and can be used to insert, search, update, and delete database records. SQL can do lots of other operations too. 

Brief History of SQL

• It was Invented by Dr. Edgar F. “Ted” Codd in 1970, who described it as a relational model for databases. 
• In 1974, the model appeared as Structured Query Language.
• In 1986, IBM developed the prototype of a relational database, which was standardized by ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
• In 1989, the first version of SQL was launched
• In 2003, window functions, XML-related features were added.

Thereafter several revisions came up to define the functioning of SQL. This included support for XML query language (2006),  improved support for temporal databases (2008), data types, isolation levels, logical operators, syntax, etc.

The revision names contain the year when it was made e.g. SQL 2008, SQL 2011, SQL 2016, etc.

Learn SQL Basics

An important Query Language (SQL) handles relational databases such as MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, Sybase, etc. It allows multiple computers to access the same database simultaneously. The following sub-languages are part of it. And it allows you to perform certain tasks:

• Data Definition Language (DDL)
• Data Manipulation Language (DML)
• Data Control Language (DCL)
• Transaction Control Language (TCL)
• Data Query Language (DQL)

Henry Harvin Academy has a complete SQL Online Course for knowing all the basics of SQL and its practical use. 

The Henry Harvin SQL Developer curriculum is well-designed by the subject matter experts. It is curated to make you ‘Industry ready’ to meet the challenges of the job market & enjoy a handsome salary hike.  The 16-Hours Live Online Interactive Classroom Training program is designed to make you a Certified SQL Developer with updated Study Materials and Recorded Videos of the Session.

You also get 1-Year Gold Membership Of Henry Harvin® Coding Academy with access to the Learning Management System (LMS) and an opportunity To Work with Industry Top Brands. 

An SQL developer must decide what type of data will be stored when creating a table. The data type is a guideline for SQL to understand what type of data is expected inside each column, and it also identifies how Learn SQL will interact with the stored data.

Each database system has its SQL extension. 

For example, SQL Server uses T-SQL, which is a SQL extension. Oracle uses PL-SQL, MySQL and MariaDB use SQL/PSM. 

PSM (Persistent Stored Module) is an ISO standard for stored procedures. Teradata and Informix use SPL, and there are several different extensions used by different System Databases.

You must install any database management system like Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server,  and DB2 on your computer. if you need to execute SQL queries on the data stored in the database.

For creating a database, there are different commands. 

But before we proceed to commands let us know about the database

Database

A database stores a comprehensive collection of organized data in tables. Records, sometimes called tuples and attributes, are stored in the table’s rows and columns. Moreover, you can store information such as names, dates, cash amounts, and numbers neatly in their respective columns of the table.

SQL database is the leading Programming language for relational databases and is Ranked No. 1 by ANSI (American National Standard Institute). Given below is a list of the famous databases:

• Oracle 12c
• MySQL
• Microsoft SQL Server
• PostgreSQL
• MongoDB
• MariaDB
• DB2
• SAP HANA
• InterBase
• OrientDB
• SQLite
• Cassandra
• CouchDB
• DynamoDB
• Neo4j
• Firebird

SQL Commands

Learn SQL gives commands to the database. The most common SQL commands to manage the database are:

• CREATE – to create a database or tables
• INSERT – to insert new data into a database or tables
• UPDATE – to make adjustments and update data in a database
• DELETE – to remove/delete data from one or more rows from a table
• SELECT – to find/extract or select the attribute based on the conditions from a database
• DROP – removes tables and databases

An SQL engine determines how to perform the task when you execute an SQL command to carry out your request. The Important components of this process are:

• SQL Query Engine
• Optimization Engines
• Query Dispatcher
• Classic Query Engine

A classic query engine allows it to manage all the NoSQL queries.

NoSQL

Knowing SQL basics let us simultaneously learn something about NoSQL. ‘NoSQL’ stands for ‘not only SQL’. A  ‘NoSQL database’ typically refers to any non-relational database and stores data in a format other than relational tables. It is an upcoming category of Database Management Systems. 

The main characteristic of NoSQL is its non-adherence to Relational Database Concepts. The concept of NoSQL databases grew with internet giants such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc. who deal with gigantic volumes of data.

When we use a relational database for massive volumes of data, the system starts getting slow in terms of response time. To overcome this, we normally “scale up” our systems by upgrading our hardware. As an alternative, we distribute our database load on multiple hosts with the load increase, and that is called “scaling out”.

SQL Language Elements

Some important elements of SQL language are:

• Keywords: Each SQL statement contains single or multiple keywords.
• Identifiers: Identifiers are names of objects in the database, like user IDs, tables, and columns.
• Strings: Strings can be either literal strings or expressions with VARCHAR or CHAR data types.
• Expressions: Expressions are formed from several elements, like constants, SQL operators, column names, and subqueries.
• Search Conditions: Conditions are used to select a subset of the rows from a table or used to control statements like an IF statement to determine control of flow.
• Special Values: Special values should be used in expressions and as column defaults when building tables.
• Variables: Sybase IQ supports local variables, global variables, and connection-level variables.
• Comments: Comment is another SQL element that is used to attach explanatory text to SQL statements or blocks of statements. The database server does not execute any comment.
• NULL Value: Use NULL, which helps you to specify a value that is unknown, missing, or not applicable.

How SQL Works?

Using SQL, you may manipulate data on a logical level. It is only when you wish to alter the data that you need to worry about the implementation specifics. Managers, end-users, application programmers, and database administrators all get the benefits of SQL’s capability.

• It processes sets of data as groups rather than as individual units.
• It provides automatic navigation to the data.
• It uses flow control statements that are complex and powerful individually. 
• Flow-control statements are commonly known as Persistent Stored Modules (PSM).
• The PL/SQL extension to Oracle SQL is similar to PSM.

Uses of SQL

Although SQL has various applications, the three most popular are development, enhancement, and maintenance. It simplified data collecting, storage, and retrieval and is one of the first database management systems that came to light. 

 The International Standards Organization and the American National Standards Institute have both recognized SQL as the de facto language for relational databases. Every time one of these groups releases a new standard, it follows their naming standards.

When working with databases, SQL statements are essential for operations like changing and retrieving data.

We can use them in:

• Creating a new database with SQL and inserting new data in the database,
• Modifying or updating previous data and retrieving data from the database,
• Deleting data and creating a new table in one database or even dropping the table,
• Setting permissions for tables, procedures, and views, and creating functions, views, and stored procedures

16 Parts of SQL

The standard is divided into several parts numbered from 1 to 14. Some of them were never released (part 5 to part 8 and part 12). Leaving the meta-part (part-1) aside, part-2 (the SQL language), part-11 (Information Schema), and part-14 (XML) became widely implemented. Other parts could never come to the mainstream. Part-15 (MDA) has just been released and it will be too early to say whether it will become widespread or not.

The details are given below:

Part 1 – Framework- A rough overview and some definitions of commonly used terms. The 2011 version of this part is available for free from ISO.

Part 2 – Foundation- Defines most of the SQL languages.

Part 3 – Call-Level Interface (SQL/CLI)- Describes C and COBOL APIs to access SQL databases.

Part 4 – Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM)- Defines a language used for server-side programming (“stored procedures”).

Part 5 – Host Language Bindings (SQL/Bindings)- Merged into part 2 with SQL:2003.

Part 6 – Global Transaction Support (SQL/Transaction)- Never released.

Part 7 – Temporal (SQL/Temporal)- Never released. Temporal support was eventually added to SQL:2011 part 2.

Part 8 – Extended Object Support- Never released. Content is absorbed into other parts.

Part 9 – Management of External Data (SQL/MED)- Defines mechanisms to access data stored outside the database.

Part 10 – Object Language Bindings (SQL/OLB)- Defines how to embed SQL statements into Java programs. This is not JDBC, which treats SQL statements as strings.

Part 11 – Information and Definition Schemas (SQL/Schemata)- Defines Information Schema and Definition Schema. which were covered in part 2 before SQL:2003.

Part 12 – Replication (SQL/Replication)- Never released.

Part 13 – Routines and Types Using the Java Programming Language (SQL/JRT)- Defines how to run Java inside the database.

Part 14 – XML-Related Specifications (SQL/XML)- Defines the XML data type and methods to work on XML documents. Appeared with SQL:2003.

Part 15 – Multidimensional arrays (SQL/MDA)- First appeared in 2019.

Part 16 – Property Graph Query (SQL/PGQ)- In progress. Embeds parts of the new GQL-Standard in SQL. Probably release is in 2021 or 2022.

How to use SQL?

To interact with a database, one uses SQL. Relational database management systems use this language as its standard, according to ANSI. You can use SQL commands to create, select, delete, drop, insert, and execute other operations on databases and tables. SQL syntaxes used in different databases are almost similar. A few RDBMS (Relational Database Management Systems) use a few different commands and even proprietary SQL syntaxes. 

We can start using Learn SQL by downloading MySQL software. For this, we have to create our first database and data table. Using the five basic SQL statements i.e. DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, and DQL we can manage working with our database.

Benefits of using SQL

The following are the main benefits or advantages of using SQL:

• It helps you to access data in the RDBMS system.
• It helps you to describe the data.
• It allows you to define the data in a database and manipulate that specific data. With the help of SQL, you can create and drop databases and tables.
• SQL allows you to use the function in a database, create a view, and store procedures.
• You can set permissions on tables, procedures, and views.

Some other important benefits are listed below:

• Higher Processing Speed: When users examine the database, SQL often functions at a high pace. It facilitates the efficient and rapid retrieval of massive amounts of data. There Is Very Little Coding Necessary to Use SQL Because SQL is Very User-Friendly.
• Minimal Coding Requirement: SQL is highly user-friendly, i.e. it is easy to use. Someone with no coding experience can easily learn basic SQL coding within a few days. The code structure is also simple, borrowing heavily from English sentences with minimal use of special characters.
• Easier to Manipulate Data: With SQL, it is very easy to view and manipulate the existing data on the database. With a few queries, users can update or change the uploaded information on the database, thus making it helpful for storing dynamic information.
• Easier Data Mining: Among other uses of SQL, it is used for sorting and filtering data by using several queries, making the data more relevant and useful, while reducing redundancy. Under the uses of SQL or MySQL, is integrally applied to maintain their database. Thus, it becomes easier to navigate if the users are familiar with SQL.
• Restricted Access: SQL is widely considered a safe and protected database. The system is password-protected on every device, thus making it difficult for malicious users to use the data without consent.
• Reliable for Complex Queries: SQL is highly-reliable in delivering correct results on complex queries by users, as compared to other Database Management systems.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about SQL, NoSQL, SQL commands, SQL language elements, and how SQL works. We also learned about 16 parts of SQL, its uses, and how to make use of its various features. We know that SQL is used to query a database, describe, define & manipulate data, and create and drop databases & tables through its commands using statements like DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, and DQL. The database approach has many advantages over flat file-based systems when it comes to storing data.

Recommended Reads:

• What is a Database? What is a Database Management System
• Top 50 SQL Interview Questions and Answers

FAQ’s

Q1.What is a database and its relation with SQL?

Ans. We store our data in one form or another. We also use this data in numerous ways to get results. For example, when we log into a company’s website or platform, we provide our details field-wise. These data get stored in their database for further use. SQL software manages these databases.

When you click on the submit button, SQL does its work at the backend and executes a command that instructs the database to store the data. Thus communication between the registration form and the database is in the language of SQL.

Q2. What is the SQL Data Type of a column in MySQL?

Ans. The data type of a column defines what value the column can hold. It can be integer, character, money, date and time, binary, and so on.

Q3. Is it easy to learn SQL?

Ans. It is very simple and easy to learn. SQL is quite manageable and flexible, as it works with information base frameworks from Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, etc. It has a characterized structure and utilizes settled guidelines. It lets you oversee databases without knowing any part of coding.

Q4. Is SQL enough to get a job?

Ans. Knowing SQL is a fundamentally required skill. For a good Software Engineer, having a grip on SQL is an indispensable requirement for landing a Software Engineering job.

Q5. Why does it make sense to learn SQL after NoSQL?

Ans. NoSQL databases are highly specialized systems and have their special usage and limitations. NoSQL suits more for those who handle huge volumes of data but there is a growing demand for professionals who can handle relational databases (SQL). Thus, learning databases and SQL basics still hold merit.

Q6. What specific advantages do relational databases have over NoSQL databases?

Ans. Relational databases have the following advantages over NoSQL databases:
1. SQL (relational) databases have a mature data storage and management model. This is crucial for enterprise users.
2. SQL database supports the notion of views that allow users to only see data that they are authorized to view. The data that they are not authorized to see is kept hidden from them.
3. SQL databases support stored procedure SQL which allows database developers to implement a part of the business logic into the database.
4. SQL databases have better security models compared to NoSQL databases.

Q7. Where is SQL used in real life?

Ans.  When working with databases, SQL is an excellent tool for retrieving important data. Many popular apps and everyday services rely on SQL for data collecting and analysis, including Netflix, Instagram, LinkedIn, Amazon, Flipkart, Instagram, Ola, and Uber.

Q8. Can you suggest some courses or books to Learn SQL?

Ans. Course: To learn SQL, Henry Harvin provides a SQL Developer Course which is immensely effective. There are 7 main modules and 2 curriculum modules to cover the entire course. It is a 16 Hours of Live Online Interactive Classroom session with a guaranteed internship. 

Books: The following books are recommended:
1. SQL Tutorial for Beginners: In this SQL Tutorial for Beginners PDF, you will learn basic Database concepts, MS-SQL commands, and advanced topics like SQL joins, Creating, adding, ing and dropping a table, etc.

2. SQL in 10 Minutes: This SQL book offers full-color code examples to help you understand how SQL statements are structured. You will also get knowledge of shortcuts and solutions.

3. SQL Cookbook: In this SQL book, you will be able to learn the technique of walking a string that allows you to use SQL to parse characters, words, or delimited elements of a string.

4. SQL: The Complete Reference This book includes important Microsoft SQL topics like Window functions, Pivoting rows into columns, reverse-pivoting columns into rows. 

5. SQL Pocket Guide: A Guide to SQL Usage The book teaches you how the systems use SQL functions, regular expression syntax, and type conversion functions. 

Q9. What is MySQL, PL/SQL, etc. in SQL?

Ans. With SQL, we may manage the data with tables. The majority of database management systems support this language. with minor tweaks and modifications, including MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.

Another management system based on SQL is MySQL. It is a relational database management system. Besides, Oracle provides support for MySQL, which is open-source and free software.

Several blocks make up PL/SQL, which is a block-structured language. These blocks include things like loops, strings, conditional statements, collections, records, triggers, functions, procedures, and cursors.

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