What is SQL - Structured Query Language

When interacting with databases, we need a language which can talk to the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). SQL is a language which is used to interact with your database. So how can SQL be used? You can use SQL to get the RDBMS to do the following things for you:

• Create, retrieve, update and delete data

• Create and manage the databases

• Design and create databases

• Perform administrative tasks like security, user management, import/export etc

SQL implementations differ between different DBMS systems but they all follow the SQL-92 specification.

SQL is 4 different sub languages bundled into the parent SQL language. It consists of the following

Data Query Language (DQL)

• Used to query the database for information

• Get information that's already stored there

Data Definition Language (DDL)

• Used for defining database schemas

Data Control Language (DCL)

• Used for controlling access to the data in the database

• User and permission management

Data Manipulation Language (DML)

• Used for inserting, updating and deleting data from the database