← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What SQL is

Structured Query Language, the standard language for asking a database to return data (SELECT) or to add, change or remove it (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 20, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 60, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Prototype Data Solutions — Module 26, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 89, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 57, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 49

Understanding What SQL is in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: INSERT INTO is the SQL statement for adding data, so it adds a new subject row to the subjects table. UPDATE changes existing data, and the semicolon at the end marks the end of the SQL statement. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the standard language used to talk to relational databases. SELECT asks for data to be returned. DELETE removes records instead. Keywords are usually written in capitals and each statement ends with a semicolon. Lowercase keywords often still run, but the capitals and semicolon are the standard style. SELECT is the SQL keyword for asking a database to return data, and FROM names the table to read it from.

Common mistakes: DELETE needs the keyword FROM before the table name. It should be DELETE FROM results. SQL asks for data with the keyword SELECT. GET is not an SQL keyword. It should be SELECT firstName, points.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add What SQL is to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 433–451) and word search (Modules 413–451).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

What does SQL stand for?

Simple Question LocatorStructured Query Language

Matches

select firstName from students

↓

The statement has no semicolon at the end, and the keywords are not written in capitals as SQL style expects

Applying

Meanings

Term

SQL

Meaning

Structured Query Language, the standard language for asking a database to return data (SELECT) or to add, change or remove it (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).

Practice

UPDATE students SET points = 130 WHERE studentId = 1;

Testing

Gaps

firstName, house

Check Answer

Spots

3WHERE points > 100;

4DELETE results

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy

Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games

Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print

Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. What does SQL stand for?

A. Simple Question Locator

B. Structured Query Language ✓

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the standard language used to talk to relational databases.

2. Which SQL keyword asks a database to return data?

A. SELECT ✓

B. DELETE

SELECT asks for data to be returned. DELETE removes records instead.

3. Which statement ADDS a new record to a table?

A. INSERT INTO students VALUES (11, 'Sam'); ✓

B. SELECT INTO students VALUES (11, 'Sam');

INSERT INTO adds a new record. SELECT only reads data and does not add anything.

4. Which keyword changes data that is already stored in a table?

A. SELECT

B. UPDATE ✓

UPDATE changes existing values in a table. SELECT only reads data and never changes it.

5. Which statement is written in the standard SQL style, with keywords in capitals and a semicolon at the end?

A. SELECT * FROM students; ✓

B. select * from students

Keywords are usually written in capitals and each statement ends with a semicolon. Lowercase keywords often still run, but the capitals and semicolon are the standard style.

Match the Pairs

SELECT firstName FROM students; → Asks the database to return the firstName of every student

DELETE FROM students WHERE studentId = 3; → Removes the student with studentId 3 from the table

SQL can add a new row of data to a table → INSERT INTO subjects VALUES (6, 'Art', 'Ms Ray');

SQL can change data that is already stored, and each statement ends with a semicolon → UPDATE students SET points = 130 WHERE studentId = 1;

select firstName from students → The statement has no semicolon at the end, and the keywords are not written in capitals as SQL style expects

SELECT INTO students VALUES (11, 'Sam'); → SELECT is used to ask for data, not to add it; adding a row needs INSERT

Key Term

SQL

Structured Query Language, the standard language for asking a database to return data (SELECT) or to add, change or remove it (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).

Fill in the Blanks

1. SELECT firstName, house FROM students;

Hint: Type the keyword that asks the database to return data.

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

Hint: Type the keyword that changes values already stored in a table.

3. DELETE FROM products WHERE stock = 0;

Hint: Type the keyword that removes rows from a table.

4. SELECT name, teacher FROM subjects;

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

5. INSERT INTO subjects VALUES (6, 'Art', 'Ms Ng');

Hint: Type the keyword that follows INSERT and leads to the table receiving the new row.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A SELECT firstName, house

B FROM students

C WHERE points > 100;

D DELETE results

E WHERE mark < 50;

Line D — DELETE needs the keyword FROM before the table name. It should be DELETE FROM results.

Question 2

A GET firstName, points

B FROM students

C WHERE yearLevel = 7;

Line A — SQL asks for data with the keyword SELECT. GET is not an SQL keyword. It should be SELECT firstName, points.

Question 3

A INSERT INTO subjects

B VALUE (6, 'Art', 'Ms Roy');

C SELECT * FROM subjects;

Line B — The keyword is spelled VALUES, with an S. INSERT INTO needs VALUES to add the new row.

Question 4

A UPDATE students

B SET points = 130

C WHERE studentId = 1;

D SELECT firstName points

E FROM students;

Line D — Fields in a SELECT list must be separated by a comma. It should be SELECT firstName, points.

Question 5

A SELCT name, price

B FROM products

C WHERE stock = 0;

Line A — SELECT is misspelled. SQL keywords must be spelled exactly, so it should be SELECT name, price.

Student with a class code? Join your class →