← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What SQL is

Structured Query Language: the standard language for asking a database for data, and for adding, changing or deleting it. Each statement ends with a semicolon.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 24, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Innovative Digital Solutions — Module 19

Understanding What SQL is in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: INSERT INTO is the SQL command for adding a new record, so it shows SQL being used to add data. UPDATE changes existing data, which is one of the main jobs SQL does besides asking for, adding and deleting data. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the standard language for talking to a database. SQL is the language we use to ask a database for the data we want. SQL can ask for data, and it can also add, change and delete data. Each SQL statement ends with a semicolon (;). The second choice is missing it. A semicolon marks the end of one SQL statement.

Common mistakes: The keyword is spelled wrong. SQL uses FROM to say which table to ask, so the line should be FROM students. An SQL statement must end with a semicolon. It should be SELECT * FROM products;.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 331–360) and word search (Modules 331–411).

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Learning

Duo

What does SQL stand for?

Structured Query LanguageSimple Question List

Matches

SELECT firstName FROM students

↓

The statement has no semicolon at the end. Every SQL statement should finish with a semicolon (;).

Applying

Meanings

Term

SQL

Meaning

Structured Query Language: the standard language for asking a database for data, and for adding, changing or deleting it. Each statement ends with a semicolon.

Practice

SELECT firstName, house FROM students;

Testing

Gaps

firstName FROM students;

Check Answer

Spots

1SELECT firstName, points

2FORM students

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Quick Questions

1. What does SQL stand for?

A. Structured Query Language ✓

B. Simple Question List

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the standard language for talking to a database.

2. What is SQL mainly used for?

A. Drawing pictures on a web page

B. Asking a database for data ✓

SQL is the language we use to ask a database for the data we want.

3. Which of these can SQL do to data in a database?

A. Add, change and delete it ✓

B. Only look at it, never change it

SQL can ask for data, and it can also add, change and delete data.

4. Which statement is written correctly?

A. SELECT * FROM students

B. SELECT * FROM students; ✓

Each SQL statement ends with a semicolon (;). The second choice is missing it.

5. What character ends an SQL statement?

A. A semicolon ; ✓

B. A full stop .

A semicolon marks the end of one SQL statement.

Match the Pairs

SELECT name FROM products; → An SQL statement that asks the database to show the name of every product

DELETE FROM orders WHERE orderId = 1; → An SQL statement that removes one order record from the database

SQL can add new data to a database → INSERT INTO subjects VALUES (6, 'Art', 'Ms Cho');

SQL can change data that is already stored → UPDATE students SET points = 130 WHERE studentId = 1;

SELECT firstName FROM students → The statement has no semicolon at the end. Every SQL statement should finish with a semicolon (;).

SELECT * FROM students; SELECT * FROM results → The second statement is missing its semicolon. Each statement needs its own semicolon at the end.

Key Term

SQL

Structured Query Language: the standard language for asking a database for data, and for adding, changing or deleting it. Each statement ends with a semicolon.

Fill in the Blanks

1. SELECT firstName FROM students;

Hint: Type the SQL keyword used to ask a database for data.

2. DELETE FROM students WHERE studentId = 10;

Hint: Type the SQL keyword that removes records from a table.

3. SELECT name, price FROM products;

Hint: Type the keyword that names the table the data is read from.

4. UPDATE students SET points = 130 WHERE studentId = 1;

Hint: Type the field name that picks out which student to change.

5. -- SQL stands for Structured Query Language SELECT * FROM students;

Hint: Type the short name for the language used to talk to databases.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A SELECT firstName, points

B FORM students

C WHERE points > 100;

Line B — The keyword is spelled wrong. SQL uses FROM to say which table to ask, so the line should be FROM students.

Question 2

A UPDATE products

B SET price = 5

C WHERE productId = 1;

D SELECT * FROM products

Line D — An SQL statement must end with a semicolon. It should be SELECT * FROM products;

Question 3

A INSERT INTO students

B (studentId, firstName, house)

C VALUE (11, 'Zed', 'Red');

Line C — The keyword is VALUES, with an S. It lists the data to add to the new record.

Question 4

A DELETE FROM orders

B WHERE quantity = 0;

C SELECT orderId, quantity

D FROM orders:

Line D — A statement ends with a semicolon, not a colon. It should be FROM orders;

Question 5

A UPDATE students

B SET points == 150

C WHERE studentId = 1;

Line B — SQL uses a single = to set a value. The line should be SET points = 150

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