A brief introduction to SQL, the programming language for databases

by Simon Morris I am a freelance writer.

Data is the backbone of any enterprise, and so is the database that stores data for easy retrieval. Data is now at the root of our existence, and from individuals to businesses to entertainment, everything runs on data. Data is also at the core of web applications and mobile applications. This has magnified the importance of database infinitely, and the database administrators like the ones you find at RemoteDBA.com are in high demand for managing database systems. Efficient database management is essential for ensuring the smooth performance of the database, which contributes to the process efficiencies.

Learning SQL is mandatory for database administrators because it is the language used for communicating with databases to manage the data contained in it. Databases do not understand any other language than SQL. Learning SQL is also necessary for web developers just in the way they must learn languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby used for application development so that they can use SQL to bridge between the database and applications. Simply said, a programmer must learn SQL so that they can work with databases comfortably. Like any other programming, language SQL has its own markup, which programmers must learn before they can use SQL effectively.

What is SQL?

Structured Query Language or SQL is the language used for managing relational databases like MySQL Eric Dalius. Only by learning this language that database administrators can create and maintain extensive databases used by most organizations. SQL is easy to work with because it uses English statements, which is very unlike other programming languages. SQL is a versatile language that is compatible with different devices like computers, servers, tablets, etc.

SQL for database programming

Business information systems revolve around a database program that allows file creation, data entry, and update, query, and reporting functions. The software used for the database is better known as the DBMS or database management system, which a database administrator looks after. Users can interact with the database by using SQL for creating and editing single files interactively by using the keyboard. However, to update one file automatically into another file, it will require programming. Therefore, the task of database management is the job of techies only.

Database Programming tasks

Here are some common interactive tasks.

Create a table with index order- Every field in a record has a name and defined by its type and length. To keep the file or table in sequence, you must define one or more fields as key fields and then create indexes upon it. The index update happens every time during addition or deletion of records or when any change is made to data in a key field.

Create data entry forms - Designing a form to display each record is the way to accomplish the task of data entry. The field validation forms contained in the data entry forms determine which data is acceptable and which is not.

View/Query – You can select records or view an entire file. On choosing a record, it creates a temporary file that you can sort into a different sequence. You can save the file for viewing later or can delete it.

Update / Edit – Some applications are for a single user that takes one file at a time. To change data, you must open the file and select the edit mode. However, in a multi-user system, administering security is a must, and there must be a program for maintaining an audit trail.

Reporting – Reports have page and column headers for providing elaborate information that has the option of sorting according to multiple fields. For example, a report can focus on a city within a county located in a state. You can save reports for future use.

Modify structure – Many times, it is necessary to change the lengths of fields, names of fields, and even add or delete fields that are necessary for database optimization. The action is like creating a record structure with the only difference that it is a modification in this case.

A programming language that is different

Many people do not recognize SQL as a programming language in the way they recognize other programming languages like Ruby, PHP, Python, etc. because of the nature of the language that is exclusively meant for databases only. This used to be the view a few years ago because SQL could not perform repetitive tasks or loops, and it lacked in decision logic or control structures. To make up for the lacuna, many database creators created their own server-side programming languages using SQL as the base. This led to the development of T-SQL by Microsoft, Postgre SQL came out with PL/pgSQL, and Oracle created PL-SQL. Although these have control structures and looping, it does not reside within SQL but remains as an appendage to it.

SQL database systems

A developer uses an interface to work with database systems that often have builders, templates, and constructors, which are tools that make the life of the database programmers much easier. These tools automate a lot of common tasks, like cleaning up the database system.

Let us now look at some commonly used database systems.

MySQL – This is an open-source database system for businesses as well as individuals. Since it is free, it is very attractive for small businesses and startups and widely used in many open-source applications and software programs. The name might appear a bit confusing as some might mistakenly think it is the programming language SQL, which it is not.

PostgreSQL – This is another open-source database that is a close competitor of MySQL. PostgreSQL is compatible with major operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS. PostgreSQL database lays much more emphasis on standard SQL syntax as compared to other databases.

Oracle database – Oracle is the world leader among database systems and it will not be wrong to consider it as a pioneer. Although it has wide use across various industries, but is especially popular in online transaction processing and data warehousing.

Microsoft SQL Server – Microsoft's database systems work on Windows OS and used in consumer software and Window based webservers.

The ubiquitous database programming language SQL has universal applicability.