SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardized programming language used to manage, query, and manipulate relational databases. It allows users to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data while also providing functionalities for database schema creation and access control. SQL is widely used in web development, data analysis, and enterprise applications.

Also known as: Structured Query Language

Comparisons

SQL vs. NoSQL: SQL is used for structured, relational databases, whereas NoSQL databases handle unstructured or semi-structured data with flexible schemas.

SQL vs. MySQL: SQL is a language, while MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses SQL.

Pros

  • Powerful and efficient for managing large datasets.
  • Standardized, making it widely adopted across different database systems.
  • Supports complex queries, joins, and indexing for data retrieval optimization.

Cons

  • Not ideal for handling unstructured or rapidly changing data.
  • Requires knowledge of database schema design for optimal performance.
  • Can have performance bottlenecks for extremely large-scale distributed applications.

Example

A developer retrieves a list of users from a database using SQL:


SELECT id, name, email 
FROM users 
WHERE status = 'active' 
ORDER BY name ASC;

This SQL query selects the id, name, and email columns from the users table, filtering only active users and sorting the results alphabetically. It demonstrates how SQL enables structured data retrieval from relational databases.

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