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SQL SELECT and FROM

SELECT lists the fields to show and FROM names the table. This returns the name and age columns for every record in students. SELECT * shows all columns. End with a semicolon.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 49, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 23, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 37, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 23, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 9 Databases — Module 20, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 25, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 25, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 61, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Prototype Data Solutions — Module 28, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 97, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Innovative Digital Solutions — Module 27, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 65, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 59

Understanding SQL SELECT and FROM in VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What it does: SELECT lists the fields to show (title, year) separated by a comma, and FROM names the movies table. The statement ends with a semicolon. The asterisk * is the wildcard that means all columns. 'all' is not valid here. With no WHERE condition, the query returns the chosen columns for every record in the table. A semicolon marks the end of the statement. A full stop is not used. FROM must come before the table name. Without it the query is incomplete and will give an error. When you list more than one field after SELECT, you must separate them with commas, otherwise SQL can't tell them apart.

Common mistakes: FROM is spelled wrong. The keyword that names the table is FROM, so the line should be FROM students;. The statement is missing its semicolon. A SELECT statement should end with ; so the line should be FROM students;.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 45–54) and word search (Modules 35–54).

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Learning

Duo

Which query shows only the name and age columns from the students table?

SELECT name, age FROM students;FROM students SELECT name, age;

Matches

SELECT name, age students;

↓

The FROM keyword is missing, so SQL doesn't know which table to read. It should be SELECT name, age FROM students;

Applying

Meanings

Term

SELECT name, age FROM students;

Meaning

SELECT lists the fields to show and FROM names the table. This returns the name and age columns for every record in students. SELECT * shows all columns. End with a semicolon.

Practice

SELECT name, age FROM students;

Testing

Gaps

name, age FROM students;

Check Answer

Spots

3SELECT *

4FORM students;

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Quick Questions

1. Which query shows only the name and age columns from the students table?

A. FROM students SELECT name, age;

B. SELECT name, age FROM students; ✓

SELECT comes first and lists the fields to show. FROM then names the table to take them from.

2. In SELECT name, age FROM students; what does FROM students do?

A. It lists the columns to display

B. It names the table the data comes from ✓

FROM names the table. The columns to display are listed after SELECT.

3. Which query shows every column for every record in the students table?

A. SELECT * FROM students; ✓

B. SELECT all FROM students;

The asterisk * is the wildcard that means all columns. 'all' is not valid here.

4. Which query is written correctly?

A. SELECT name FROM students; ✓

B. SELECT name students FROM;

The field list goes after SELECT, and the table name must come straight after FROM.

5. What does SELECT name, age FROM students; return?

A. The name and age of every student record ✓

B. Only the first student's name and age

With no WHERE condition, the query returns the chosen columns for every record in the table.

Match the Pairs

SELECT name, age FROM students; → Shows only the name and age columns for every record in the students table

SELECT * FROM students; → Shows all columns for every record in the students table

Get just the title and year fields from a table called movies → SELECT title, year FROM movies;

A SQL statement should end with a semicolon to mark where it finishes → SELECT * FROM teams;

SELECT name, age students; → The FROM keyword is missing, so SQL doesn't know which table to read. It should be SELECT name, age FROM students;

SELECT name age FROM students; → There is no comma between the field names. It should be SELECT name, age FROM students;

Key Term

SELECT name, age FROM students;

SELECT lists the fields to show and FROM names the table. This returns the name and age columns for every record in students. SELECT * shows all columns. End with a semicolon.

Fill in the Blanks

1. SELECT name, age FROM students;

Hint: Type the keyword that lists the fields (columns) to show.

2. SELECT name, age FROM students;

Hint: Type the keyword that names the table the data comes from.

3. SELECT * FROM students;

Hint: Type the symbol that means show all columns.

4. SELECT name, age FROM students;

Hint: Type the name of the table being queried.

5. SELECT name, age FROM students;

Hint: Type the second column to show: the field that stores how old each student is.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A SELECT name, age

B FROM students;

C SELECT *

D FORM students;

Line D — FROM is spelled wrong. The keyword that names the table is FROM, so the line should be FROM students;

Question 2

A SELECT name, email

B FROM students

C SELECT *

D FROM teachers;

Line B — The statement is missing its semicolon. A SELECT statement should end with ; so the line should be FROM students;

Question 3

A SELECT name, age

B FROM students;

C SELECT year_level house

D FROM students;

Line C — Fields in a SELECT list must be separated by a comma. It should be SELECT year_level, house

Question 4

A SELECT *

B FROM students:

C SELECT name

D FROM students;

Line B — The statement ends with a colon. SQL statements end with a semicolon, so it should be FROM students;

Question 5

A SELECT title, author,

B FROM books;

C SELECT *

D FROM books;

Line A — There is an extra comma after the last field. Commas go between fields only, so it should be SELECT title, author

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