Your first SQL

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What is SQL?

The data behind an app — users, products, posts — is kept in a database.

SQL is the language you use to talk to it. "Show me this", "add this", "get rid of this" — you say it in statements.

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What is inside a database is shaped like a table.

This course uses a canteen's menus table.

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SELECT column FROM table; gives you every row of that column.

You can read it as "from menus, select name". SQL sits close to an English sentence.

SELECT name FROM menus;

Result

curry rice / tofu udon / omelette rice / soy ramen / fried chicken set

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Line the column names up with , and you can take several at the same time.

SELECT name, price FROM menus;

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Use * (an asterisk) and you get every column.

Have a look at the whole thing with * first, then narrow to the columns you need — that is the first step of exploring a database.

SELECT * FROM menus;