You use SQL statements to retrieve or update the data stored in a database. SQL statements enable you to:

  • Retrieve data from a database
  • Insert new records into a database
  • Delete records from a database
  • Update records in a database

You use the SELECT statement to retrieve data from a database. You use the INSERT INTO, DELETE, and UPDATE statements to insert, delete, and update data into a database, respectively.

Using the SELECT Statement: You use the SELECT statement to retrieve data from a table. The SELECT statement
includes the following clauses:

  • SELECT
  • FROM
  • WHERE
  • ORDER BY

In a SELECT statement, the WHERE and the ORDER BY clauses are optional.