01 Overview

SQL - Structured Query LANGUAGE
Standard LANGUAGE BETWEEN most databse applications (although Microsoft has added
it 's own proprietary statements)

IN general, SQL IS a way TO select certain records from database tables, USING criteria you choose.

SQL consists OF creating a query - a string - that the database server interprets

WITH SQL you can:
- Modify a database 's structure (create tables)
- Change system security settings
- ADD USER permissions ON databases OR tables
- Query a database FOR information
- UPDATE the contents OF a database ( ADD / DELETE DATA )
- Store your queries within your program OR database.

A database server application receives the query AND returns information (usually
databse records according TO the instructions IN the query

Example OF SQL query (string):
SELECT * FROM employee
* means ALL records
employee IS the TABLE OF employees

Commonly available applications which support SQL include: Microsoft Access, Oracle, Microsoft Query