SQL (Structured Query Language)
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. At its core, it's a language used to interact with databases. It allows you to efficiently retrieve, edit, and manipulate data in a structured way.
Imagine a library filled with countless books. If you were tasked with finding all the books written by a particular author, what would you do? Most likely you would need a system, a method, wouldn't you?
SQL (Structured Query Language) is such a method for working with databases. Imagine a librarian who knows exactly where every book is located. This section contains articles that will help you dive into the world of SQL and get you started.
SQL is not only about retrieving data. Its capabilities can be roughly categorized into:
- DDL (Data Definition Language): It deals with the structure of the database. Examples are creating, modifying, deleting columns and tables.
- DML (Data Manipulation Language): It deals with the data itself. Examples - select, insert, update, delete rows in tables.
- DCL (Data Control Language): It's all about rights and permissions. The main tasks are to grant or restrict access.
There are different database systems — there are various options such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Think of it as different database applications - just like you can use MS Word, Google Doc or another text editor to create a text document, you can use a different system to create databases.
For beginners, SQLite is a good choice as it is very lightweight. Most of the sites on the internet run on MySQL or its counterpart, MariaDB. Each system has its own features, advantages and disadvantages, but the general principles remain the same.
