SQL is a language used to communicate with relational databases and manage data retrieval and storage. Key points:
- SQL allows users to perform tasks like updating or retrieving data from databases. It is the standard language used by relational database management systems.
- SQL uses structured queries to select, insert, update, delete and manage relational database tables. Common operations include filtering rows, projecting columns, joining tables, aggregating data, and grouping results.
- SQL syntax and capabilities vary slightly between different database implementations, but the core functionality remains the same. SQL allows powerful data analysis through features like subqueries, correlations, and aggregation.