SQL commands are crucial for managing databases effectively.

These commands are divided

into categories such as Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML),
Data Control Language (DCL), Data Query Language (DQL), and Transaction Control Language
(TCL).

In this article, we will explain the different types of SQL commands,

including DDL, DML, DCL, DQL, and TCL. These SQL sublanguages serve specific purposes and
are important for effective database management.

What are SQL Commands?

SQL commands are the fundamental building blocks for communicating with a database
management system (DBMS). It is used to interact with the database with some operations. It is
also used to perform specific tasks, functions, and queries of data. SQL can perform various
tasks like creating a table, adding data to tables, dropping the table, modifying the table, set
permission for users.

SQL Commands are mainly categorized into five categories:

 DDL – Data Definition Language

 DQL – Data Query Language

 DML – Data Manipulation Language

 DCL – Data Control Language

 TCL - Transaction Control Language

1. DDL - Data Definition Language

DDL or Data Definition Language actually consists of the SQL commands that can be used
for defining, altering, and deleting database structures such as tables, indexes, and schemas. It
simply deals with descriptions of the database schema and is used to create and modify the
structure of database objects in the database

Common DDL Commands

Command Description Syntax

Create database or its objects

CREATE TABLE table_name (column1
CREATE (table, index, function, views,
data_type, column2 data_type, ...);
store procedure, and triggers)
Command Description Syntax

Delete objects from the

DROP DROP TABLE table_name;
database

Alter the structure of the ALTER TABLE table_name ADD

ALTER
database COLUMN column_name data_type;

Remove all records from a

table, including all spaces
TRUNCATE TRUNCATE TABLE table_name;
allocated for the records are
removed

Add comments to the data COMMENT 'comment_text' ON TABLE

COMMENT
dictionary table_name;

Rename an object existing in RENAME TABLE old_table_name TO

RENAME
the database new_table_name;

Example:

CREATE TABLE employees (

employee_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
first_name VARCHAR(50),
last_name VARCHAR(50),
hire_date DATE
);

In this example, a new table called employees is created with columns for employee ID, first
name, last name, and hire date.

2. DQL - Data Query Language

DQL statements are used for performing queries on the data within schema objects. The
purpose of the DQL Command is to get some schema relation based on the query passed to
it. This command allows getting the data out of the database to perform operations with it.
When a SELECT is fired against a table or tables the result is compiled into a further temporary
table, which is displayed or perhaps received by the program.

DQL Command

Command Description Syntax

It is used to retrieve data from SELECT column1, column2, ...FROM

SELECT
the database table_name WHERE condition;

Example:

SELECT first_name, last_name, hire_date

FROM employees
WHERE department = 'Sales'
ORDER BY hire_date DESC;

This query retrieves employees' first and last names, along with their hire dates, from the
employees table, specifically for those in the 'Sales' department, sorted by hire date.

3. DML - Data Manipulation Language

The SQL commands that deal with the manipulation of data present in the database belong
to DML or Data Manipulation Language and this includes most of the SQL statements. It is the
component of the SQL statement that controls access to data and to the database. Basically,
DCL statements are grouped with DML statements.

Common DML Commands

Command Description Syntax

Insert data into a INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, ...)

INSERT
table VALUES (value1, value2, ...);

Update existing data UPDATE table_name SET column1 = value1, column2

UPDATE
within a table = value2 WHERE condition;

DELETE Delete records from a DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;

Command Description Syntax

database table

Table control
LOCK LOCK TABLE table_name IN lock_mode;
concurrency

Call a PL/SQL or JAVA

CALL CALL procedure_name(arguments);
subprogram

EXPLAIN Describe the access

EXPLAIN PLAN FOR SELECT * FROM table_name;
PLAN path to data

Example:

INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name, department)

VALUES ('Jane', 'Smith', 'HR');

This query inserts a new record into the employees table with the first name 'Jane', last name
'Smith', and department 'HR'.

4. DCL - Data Control Language

DCL (Data Control Language) includes commands such as GRANT and REVOKE which mainly
deal with the rights, permissions, and other controls of the database system. These commands
are used to control access to data in the database by granting or revoking permissions.

Common DCL Commands

Command Description Syntax

Assigns new privileges to a

GRANT privilege_type [(column_list)]
user account, allowing access
GRANT ON [object_type] object_name TO
to specific database objects,
user [WITH GRANT OPTION];
actions, or functions.
Command Description Syntax

Removes previously granted

REVOKE [GRANT OPTION FOR]
privileges from a user
privilege_type [(column_list)] ON
REVOKE account, taking away their
[object_type] object_name FROM
access to certain database
user [CASCADE];
objects or actions.

Example of DCL

GRANT SELECT, UPDATE ON employees TO user_name;

This command grants the user user_name the permissions to select and update records in the
employees table.

5. TCL - Transaction Control Language

Transactions group a set of tasks into a single execution unit. Each transaction begins with a
specific task and ends when all the tasks in the group are successfully completed. If any of
the tasks fail, the transaction fails. Therefore, a transaction has only two
results: success or failure. We can explore more about transactions here.

Common TCL Commands

Command Description Syntax

BEGIN BEGIN TRANSACTION

Starts a new transaction
TRANSACTION [transaction_name];

Saves all changes made during the

COMMIT COMMIT;
transaction

Undoes all changes made during

ROLLBACK ROLLBACK;
the transaction

SAVEPOINT Creates a savepoint within the SAVEPOINT savepoint_name;

Command Description Syntax

current transaction

Example:

BEGIN TRANSACTION;
UPDATE employees SET department = 'Marketing' WHERE department = 'Sales';
SAVEPOINT before_update;
UPDATE employees SET department = 'IT' WHERE department = 'HR';
ROLLBACK TO SAVEPOINT before_update;
COMMIT;

In this example, a transaction is started, changes are made, and a savepoint is set. If needed,
the transaction can be rolled back to the savepoint before being committed.

Most Important SQL Commands

There are also a few other SQL Commands we often rely on when writing powerful queries.
While they don’t fit neatly into the five main categories, they’re absolutely essential for working
with data effectively.

Command Description

SELECT Retrieves data from one or more tables.

INSERT Adds new rows (records) to a table.

UPDATE Modifies existing data in a table.

DELETE Removes specific rows from a table.

CREATE TABLE Creates a new table in the database.

Command Description

Modifies the structure of an existing table (e.g., add or remove

ALTER TABLE
columns).

DROP TABLE Permanently deletes a table and its data.

TRUNCATE TABLE Removes all rows from a table but keeps its structure intact.

WHERE Filters records based on a condition.

ORDER BY Sorts the result set in ascending or descending order.

GROUP BY Groups rows that have the same values in specified columns.

HAVING Filters grouped data (used with GROUP BY).

JOIN Combines rows from two or more tables based on a related column.

DISTINCT Removes duplicate values from the result set.

IN / BETWEEN /
Used for advanced filtering conditions.
LIKE

UNION Combines the result of two or more SELECT queries.

GRANT Gives user privileges or permissions.

Command Description

REVOKE Removes user privileges.

COMMIT Saves all changes made in the current transaction.

ROLLBACK Undoes changes if something goes wrong in a transaction.

SAVEPOINT Sets a point in a transaction to roll back to if needed.

Conclusion

SQL commands such as DDL, DML, DCL, DQL, and TCL are foundational for effective database
management. From creating and modifying tables with DDL commands to
managing transactions with TCL commands in SQL, understanding each type of command
enhances our database skills. Whether we are manipulating data, or managing data, SQL
provides all sets of tools. Now, with this detailed guide, we hope you have gained a deep
understanding of SQL commands, their categories, and syntax with examples.