SQL
Structured Query Language — the standard language for managing and querying relational databases.
Also: Structured Query Language
Definition
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used for managing and manipulating relational databases. SQL supports data querying (SELECT), data modification (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), schema definition (CREATE TABLE, ALTER), and access control (GRANT, REVOKE). SQL databases organize data into tables with rows and columns, and use relationships between tables (joins) to model complex data. Major SQL database systems include PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle.
Example
“A developer writes: SELECT name, salary FROM employees WHERE department = 'Engineering' ORDER BY salary DESC; to retrieve engineers sorted by salary.”
Synonyms
- database query language
- relational query language
- structured data language
Antonyms / Opposites
- NoSQL
Images
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Related Terms
- nosql
- relational-database
- orm
- acid