Structured Query Language (SQL): A Practical IntroductionThe Structured Query Language, SQL, has emerged in recent years as the standard query language used with relational databases. The SQL language has gained ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and ISO (International Standards Organisation) certification and a version of SQL is available for almost any computer system, from a Cray supercomputer to a PC. There is now a growing need for a clear, basic introduction to SQL and its applications. The author sets the scene with an introduction to relational databases and a brief history of the development of SQL. The language is then presented in an overview chapter which describes the functions of the major SQL commands and gives the reader an idea of the power of the language in creating, populating, querying and modifying database tables. Later chapters focus on explaining each of the SQL command groups more fully. The order of topics is carefully chosen as many SQL commands build upon others. |
Common terms and phrases
A.DEPT_NO aggregate functions ANSI ANSI/ISO standard Arts & Humanities authorization-id Ayton base table BUDGET BUICK ESTATE clause column names column values correlated subquery CREATE TABLE statement CREATE VIEW cursor data types database security database table DBMS defined DELETE department number DEPARTMENTS table DEPT_NAME DEPT_NO embedded SQL program Engineering entity integrity example EXAMS table exec sql foreign key GRANT host language variables Industrial Law INTEGER NOT NULL Jones LECTURERS table MD_NAME MD_NUM modifier Nizamuddin NULL values operator Order Proc Organic Chemistry outer query output P_BUDGET pass mark predicate primary key Ramanujan RDBMS referential integrity relational database results table retrieve REVOKE S.SURNAME Scrivens SELECT statement SELECT SURNAME shown in Figure specify SQL allows SQL commands SQL language SQL query SQL statements SQL Tips STOCK VALUE STUDENT_NO STUDENTS table SUB_NAME SUB_NO SUBJECTS table successfully created SURNAME INITL system catalog tells SQL transaction UPDATE UPDATE and DELETE wildcard characters