What is SQL?

SQL (pronounced: 'see-quel') stands for Structured Query Language, which is used to store, manipulate and retrieve data in a relational database.

It is a standard language used in popular RDBMS like MySQL, Oracle, MS Access, etc.

Some of the basic commands used to manipulate database with SQL are CREATE, SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and DROP.

History of SQL

1. Dr. Edgar F. Codd of IBM described the Relational Model for Databases in 1970. He is also knows as the 'Father of Relational Databases'.

2. Structured Query Language was first developed in 1970s by IBM researchers Raymond Boyce and Donald Chamberlin.

3. Codd's ideas were later worked upon by IBM. They released a product named System/R based on it.

4. The first system sold as an RDBMS was Multics Relational Data Store (1976). It was followed by Oracle in 1979 by Relational Software Inc. (now Oracle Corporation).

Advantages of using SQL

1. SQL is a standard language used in all of the relational databases. Barring few differences, most of the basic SQL queries remain same. 

2. It allows easy access to data in RDBMS.

3. It allows user to describe the data i.e., to define the data parameters. 

4. It allows easy manipulation of data and the structure of table through simple queries.

5. Its an easy to learn language.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Previous: Important terms used in Relational Database - MySQL Tutorial

This article was a part of our MySQL Tutorial for Beginners series.