Master SQL Server Basics: From SELECT to DELETE with Real Examples

SQL Server Basic Usage

First, install SQL Server; the standard or enterprise edition is recommended over the Express edition.

SQL Basic Syntax Introduction

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the ANSI standard language for accessing and manipulating relational databases.

What is SQL?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language.

It enables us to access databases.

It is an ANSI standard computer language.

SQL can be used with database systems such as MS Access, DB2, Informix, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, MySQL, and others.

What can we do with SQL?

Query data from databases. Insert new records. Update existing data. Delete records. Create new databases and tables. Create stored procedures and views. Set permissions on tables, procedures, and views.

RDBMS Overview

RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. Data is stored in tables composed of rows and columns.

Basic Syntax

SQL is case‑insensitive. It is divided into Data Manipulation Language (DML) and Data Definition Language (DDL).

DML (Data Manipulation Language)

SELECT – retrieve data from tables

INSERT INTO – add new rows

UPDATE – modify existing rows

DELETE – remove rows

DDL (Data Definition Language)

CREATE DATABASE – create a new database

ALTER DATABASE – modify a database

CREATE TABLE – create a new table

ALTER TABLE – change a table

DROP TABLE – delete a table

CREATE INDEX – create an index

DROP INDEX – delete an index

SELECT Statement Basics

The SELECT statement is used most frequently for querying data.

Basic syntax illustration:

Example: query the ID column from the teacher table.

Common SELECT clauses:

WHERE – filter rows

AND / OR – combine multiple conditions

ORDER BY – sort results (ASC by default, DESC for descending)

TOP – limit number or percentage of rows returned

LIKE – pattern matching

BETWEEN – select values within a range

SELECT DISTINCT – return unique values

Wildcards (% , _ , [charlist] , [^charlist]) – used with LIKE

Code example illustration:

INSERT INTO Basics

The INSERT INTO statement adds new rows to a table.

Example:

INSERT INTO is frequently used; the simplest form is shown above.

UPDATE Statement

The UPDATE statement modifies data in a table.

Example:

DELETE Statement

The DELETE statement removes rows from a table.

Example:

Practicing these basic database operations regularly is essential to develop speed and proficiency.