← VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What a database query is

A saved question asked of a table. It shows only the fields and records that answer it, as a new view, and leaves the original table unchanged.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 48, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 9, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 9 Databases — Module 19, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Entities, Relationships and Queries — Module 24

Understanding What a database query is in VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What it does: This asks 'which pets are dogs?'. The result is a new view of just the dogs, and the Pets table stays the same. A query asks a question of the data. It shows the answer without replacing or rebuilding the table. Criteria are the rules a record must meet to appear, such as Year = 8. Sorting only arranges the results, for example A to Z or highest to lowest. It never deletes anything. A filter usually just hides rows for a moment. A query is saved and sets the fields, criteria and sort order together. A query only chooses what to show. The Age field is still in the table.

Common mistakes: FROM must name the table the question is asked of, which is Pets. OldPets is the name of the query, not a table. It should be FROM Pets. A query only asks a question and leaves the table unchanged. It must not delete anything. The first line should name the query: QUERY BigTeams.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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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

What is a database query?

A new table that replaces the old oneA saved question asked of a table

Matches

A student deletes the Year 7 records from the Students table to 'show only Year 8'

↓

This changes the table. A query should only show the Year 8 records in a new view and leave all the original records in place.

Applying

Meanings

Term

query

Meaning

A saved question asked of a table. It shows only the fields and records that answer it, as a new view, and leaves the original table unchanged.

Practice

SELECT Name, Year

Testing

Gaps

Name, Year

Check Answer

Spots

1QUERY OldPets

2FROM OldPets

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Quick Questions

1. What is a database query?

A. A saved question asked of a table ✓

B. A new table that replaces the old one

A query asks a question of the data. It shows the answer without replacing or rebuilding the table.

2. A query is run on a Students table. What happens to the original table?

A. The rows that did not match are deleted

B. It stays unchanged ✓

The result is a new view. The records that were left out are still safe in the original table.

3. Which part of a query picks which columns to show?

A. The fields ✓

B. The sort order

Fields are the columns. A query can show just the ones that answer your question, like Name and Year.

4. Which part of a query decides which records (rows) are included?

A. The field names

B. The criteria ✓

Criteria are the rules a record must meet to appear, such as Year = 8.

5. What does the sort order in a query control?

A. The order the results are listed in ✓

B. Which records are deleted

Sorting only arranges the results, for example A to Z or highest to lowest. It never deletes anything.

Match the Pairs

SELECT Name, Year FROM Students → A query that shows only the Name and Year fields from the Students table

WHERE Year = 8 → A criteria that keeps only the records where Year is 8

A query asks a question of a table and shows the answer as a new view, without changing the table → SELECT * FROM Pets WHERE Type = 'Dog'

A query can set a sort order so the results are shown in a chosen order → ORDER BY Score DESC

A student deletes the Year 7 records from the Students table to 'show only Year 8' → This changes the table. A query should only show the Year 8 records in a new view and leave all the original records in place.

SELECT Name FROM Students WHERE Year = 8, to show each student's name and their score → The query only selects the Name field, so Score is not shown. Add Score to the fields list: SELECT Name, Score.

Key Term

query

A saved question asked of a table. It shows only the fields and records that answer it, as a new view, and leaves the original table unchanged.

Fill in the Blanks

1. SELECT Name, Year FROM Students

Hint: Type the keyword that chooses which fields the query shows.

2. SELECT Name, Year FROM Students

Hint: Type the keyword that names the table the question is asked of.

3. SELECT Name FROM Students WHERE Year = 8

Hint: Type the keyword that starts the criteria, so only matching records show.

4. SELECT Name FROM Students WHERE Year = 8

Hint: Type the comparison operator that tests whether two values are the same.

5. SELECT Name, Score FROM Students ORDER BY Score DESC

Hint: Type the sort order keyword that lists the highest score first.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A QUERY OldPets

B FROM OldPets

C SHOW Name, Age

D WHERE Age > 8

Line B — FROM must name the table the question is asked of, which is Pets. OldPets is the name of the query, not a table. It should be FROM Pets.

Question 2

A DELETE Teams

B FROM Teams

C SHOW Team, Players

D WHERE Players > 20

Line A — A query only asks a question and leaves the table unchanged. It must not delete anything. The first line should name the query: QUERY BigTeams.

Question 3

A QUERY Class8B

B FROM Students

C SHOW Name, Class

D WHERE Class = 8B

Line D — A text criterion must go inside quotes. It should be WHERE Class = "8B".

Question 4

A QUERY LongMovies

B FROM Movies

C SHOW Tittle, Length

D WHERE Length > 120

Line C — A field name must match the table exactly. Tittle is a misspelling, so the query cannot find that field. It should be SHOW Title, Length.

Question 5

A FROM Games

B SHOW Player Score

C SORT BY Score DESC

Line B — The fields in a SHOW line must be separated by commas. It should be SHOW Player, Score.

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