Why do programmers prefer SQL? A brief guide

There is a lot of buzz in the technological world about data – but as we know that raw data is not useful on its own.

Structured Query Language or SQL is a programming language that allows communication with databases for managing the data they contain. This is undoubtedly the shortest version possible. If you want to know about the long SQL version, continue reading this guide to SQL programming.

Nowadays, every business starting from small to huge corporate organizations prefers to use data for running their operations. Databases are used for managing this data. Due to this, the demand for database administration professionals has exploded. Owing to this, choosing a career as a SQL developer can be highly lucrative.

Structured Query Language

Data forms an integral part of web applications as well as mobile applications. For instance, Facebook holds the profile information of millions of users, including data about their posts and friends. In order to hold this data, Facebook has to use a database system. The Structured Query Language is one such program that enables programmers to work with the available data.

An application can be programmed in a language like Ruby, Python, and PHP; databases are not actually configured in order to understand these languages. Databases only understand Structured Query Language. So, if you are planning to work as an application developer or web developer, it is important to learn the SQL programming language.

SQL consists of its own markup, which makes it necessary for a programmer to learn this language for effective usage.

Apart from markup, the concept of tables is also one of the unique features of database programming. A database can be represented in the form of table numbers where the table consists of its own set of rows and columns and represents the whole set of data.

One can imagine a library with databases, created to store data about the numerous books available.

Only a single table is required in this case, 

The single table would allow storing all the details we need.

Some SQL commands are used frequently, which one should be familiar with when working for the database. A programmer who is working with databases can write the command like:

The above commands are the common ones that are used frequently. A programmer has to use more commands need to be used when a database is complicated.

These commands are used for writing inquiries-queries, which allow one to operate the data available in the databases. It can also be said that when you enter these commands in the database system, the system will interpret them and process accordingly. The result will be like, creation of a fresh new database for a new record in the database.

Some of the examples are listed below:

The first query is meant for developing a new database. For instance, the Facebook application contains data basis for the following:

Interests

This database holds data about different interests, which can be used to track the hobbies of the users.

Users

This contains all the details about the profiles of Facebook users.

Geographic locations

This database consists of all the cities across the world where Facebook uses live.

Again, the second query is meant for developing a fresh new table inside a specific database.

Which industries prefer to use SQL programming?

Databases majorly used in the field of technology and almost every area where use amount of data are required. Some of the most commonly used structured query language programming industries are as follows:

• Financial industry
• Social media platforms
• Music applications 

Common SQL commands

SQL SELECT

The SELECT statement in structured query language is used for retrieving data from the relational database.

The ‘table name’ is used for storing the data, and the ‘column name’ is used for storing data that needs to be retrieved.

In order to select more than one column, it is important to add a comma to the previous column and then add the name of the column. In case you need to select three columns, the syntax should be as follows:

SQL DISTINCT

The DISTINCT command in SQL is used in the select statement for retrieving the unique values from the database table. Duplicate values will only appear once.

SQL AND OR

The { }+ implies that the expression available inside the bracket will appear one or several times. [AND|OR] stands that either OR or AND can be used. Plus, we can make use of the parenthesis sign ( ) to imply the condition order.

SQL BETWEEN

The BETWEEN command is used when the filtering criteria are in continuous range with the minimum value and the maximum value. It is preferably used in the where clause.

This will choose all the rows having a column value between ‘value 1’ and ‘value 2.’

Learning the SQL programming

Learning the SQL programming language demands ongoing practice and practical work on projects. Learning the basics is the first step that you should take for SQL programming. Then, you can start with a small project which involves the use of this programming language.

For example, you can create a small database that organizations the music collection you have. You can even write down a small web application that connects to a database system like PostgreSQL or MySQL. As soon as you improve your SQL knowledge, you can progressively tackle larger projects.

Practicing the art of coding regularly can definitely help you to enhance your skills quickly. If applying for the post of a junior SQL programmer, having a successful project can help you to earn the job easily. This proves that you have the basic knowledge and skills for developing databases and connecting the same to the application as well as operating data from the application. Many DBAs responsible for managing SQL servers will leverage monitoring tools in order to ‘level up’ their knowledge and develop a clear understanding of how to optimize their server. There’s so many incredible tools out there to help programmers develop knowledge nowadays.

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Conclusion

Hopefully, this post has helped you to gather knowledge about the SQL programming. The SQL programming language covers a huge portion and is not possible to brief in a single post. If you are a SQL programmer or wishes to know more about this language in details, subscribe to our post for weekly updates. We come up with interesting and informative SQL posts for our readers every week. With RemoteDBA.com, you can get the services of the best SQL programmers for your projects.