We all know some basic computer and internet concepts, so at least we’ve heard of it. Some of these are of no use to anyone to know, but some of them are quite critical. One of them is the SQL language. Contrary to popular belief, SQL is not a programming language, it is just a special language used to manage databases, especially relational ones.
Of course, knowing SQL is primarily the task of software developers, but even if you are not a software developer or system developer, you may need to learn this language. Because databases in which this language is used have started to appear almost everywhere. If you are hearing the SQL language for the first time, let’s take a closer look at questions such as what SQL is, what it does, where it is used, and what you will learn and do.
What is SQL?
SQL is a language used for data management purposes. Data in many different types of databases, especially relational databases, are managed using the SQL language. New data can be added to the database, existing data can be changed, recorded data can be deleted, and special lists can be created from existing data through commands written using the SQL language.
As database systems developed, the SQL language was born as a result of the search for alternative ways to manage data. Firstly, SQUARE, which is a mathematical sequence, and then SEQUEL, which is the developed version of this language, was used. The final version of these languages was Structured Query Language, briefly SQL, Structured Query Language in Turkish.
What does SQL do?
Relational databases created using the SQL language make managing large-scale data much easier and more reliable. Just imagine how tiring even an Excel file consisting of a few pages is. It is not wise to try to manage a version of this that consists of dozens of times more data without the SQL language.
Many open source databases today work with SQL. Many companies also use databases prepared with SQL language and therefore they want their employees to know this language. If you are an enthusiastic student, it is possible to learn the SQL language in a few hours. Because simple English words used in daily life are also used in SQL language commands.
What can be done with SQL?
Creating databases with SQL is the job of experts. Therefore, it is not easy to do this with the language you learn in a few hours. However, basic SQL grammar will be sufficient to perform any operation in a relational database.
With the commands you write in the SQL language, you can add new data to the database, make changes to the existing data, delete the data and prepare special lists that will make it much easier to access by editing the recorded data. So knowing the SQL language means controlling the database.
Is SQL safe?
You’d expect a ubiquitous and widely used language for managing data to be extremely secure, but that’s not the case. As we said, SQL is not a programming language. You cannot create strong firewalls using it, you only manage the relational database.
The commands created with the SQL language can be easily guessed by anyone that they consist of extremely simple words. At this point, what needs to be done is to strengthen the previous stage, not the database. In other words, firewalls should be created much earlier and much stronger so that the database cannot be accessed during a possible virtual attack.
Is it necessary to learn SQL?
If you have looked at job postings lately, you will see that there is a profit no matter what you learn. SQL would be one of the most logical choices. Because if you want to work in a large company, keep in mind that you will encounter a large database.
Knowing what’s going on in such a large database, managing the existing data and analyzing the data in question to predict what data you will need in the future will be a really great skill.
Some databases using SQL language:
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Firebird
- PostgreSQL
- Progress
- Microsoft SQL Server
- IBM Informix
- Oracle
- Sybase
- IBM DB2
Example SQL usage:
CREATE TABLE spreadsheets (
ilceNo mediumint(8) unsigned DEFAULT ‘0’ NOT NULL,
ilce varchar(30) NOT NULL,
postcode varchar(5),
ilceTel char(3),
plateCode char(2) NOT NULL
)
Here is the sample command you can write to add a new table to a relational database prepared using SQL language. By customizing the details as you wish, you can add new data to the database, edit this data and delete it later.
We answered questions such as what is SQL, one of the most widely used languages for data management, what it does, what can be done with SQL, is it necessary to learn SQL, and we talked about the details you need to know about this language.
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