What is SQL?

SQL stand for structured Query language. SQL is not a full featured programming language. It is simply a data sublanguage. It means that it only has language statement for database definition and processing (querying and updating). The data definition commands are called data definition language (DDL). The data query and updating commands are called data manipulation language (DML).

SQL was developed by IBM. It is endorsed as a national standard by American national standard institute (ANSI). A newer standard SQL3 also exists but the most widely implemented version of SQL is ANSI SQL-92 standard. SQL works with database programs like MS access, DB2, Informix, MS SQL Server, Oracle Sybase Etc.

Feature of SQL

• SQL is English like language. It uses words like SELECT, INSERT, DELETE etc.
• SQL is non-procedural language. The user specifies what to do not how to do. SQL does not require specifying the access method to data. 
• SQL commands are not case sensitive.
• SQL processes sets of records rather than a single record at a time. The most common form of a set of records is the table.
• SQL can be used by a range of users like DBA, Application programmer, management personnel and many other types of end users.

SQL provide commands for a variety of tasks including:

• Querying Data 
• Inserting, updating, deleting rows in a table 
• Creating, modifying and deleting databases objects
• Controlling access to databases and databases objects
• Guaranteeing database consistency