Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Statements

Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful relational database management system that allows you to interact with the database using various SQL statements. SQL statements are commands written in the Structured Query Language (SQL) that enable you to perform operations such as querying data, inserting, updating, and deleting records, creating and modifying database objects, and managing the database itself. In this article, we will explore the different types of SQL statements in Microsoft SQL Server and how they are used.

Select Statement

The SELECT statement is one of the most commonly used SQL statements. It allows you to retrieve data from one or more tables in the database. You can specify the columns you want to retrieve, apply filtering conditions using the WHERE clause, and even join multiple tables to combine data.

    SELECT column1, column2
    FROM table_name
    WHERE condition;
  

Insert Statement

The INSERT statement is used to add new records to a table. You can either insert explicit values or use a subquery to insert data from another table.

    INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2)
    VALUES (value1, value2);
  

Update Statement

The UPDATE statement allows you to modify existing records in a table. You can use the SET clause to specify the new values and use the WHERE clause to filter which records to update.

    UPDATE table_name
    SET column1 = new_value1, column2 = new_value2
    WHERE condition;
  

Delete Statement

The DELETE statement is used to remove records from a table. As with the UPDATE statement, you can use the WHERE clause to specify which records to delete.

    DELETE FROM table_name
    WHERE condition;
  

Create Statement

The CREATE statement is used to create database objects such as tables, views, functions, and procedures. You can define the structure and properties of the object within the statement.

    CREATE TABLE table_name
    (
      column1 datatype,
      column2 datatype,
      ...
    );
  

Alter Statement

The ALTER statement allows you to modify the structure of existing database objects. For example, you can add or drop columns from a table, change column data types, or add constraints to an existing table.

    ALTER TABLE table_name
    ADD new_column datatype;
  

Drop Statement

The DROP statement is used to remove database objects from the database. This statement is irreversible, so use it with caution.

    DROP TABLE table_name;
  

Conclusion

SQL statements are the backbone of Microsoft SQL Server, allowing you to interact with the database and perform a wide range of operations. By understanding and utilizing these SQL statements, you can effectively query, manipulate, and manage your SQL Server database. The examples provided in this article cover some of the most commonly used SQL statements, but SQL offers many more powerful features and functionalities for working with your data.