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Simple SQL Queries

SQL servers provide a way to store data so that it can be retrieved and modified efficiently while providing an english like language called SQL that describes the actions needed. The server divides the data into logical sub units called databases which contain multiple tables of information. These tables contain individual information units called rows that describe individual items such as a person, an object or any bits of information that go together. Finally, each row contains individual fields or columns that describe the item. To use an analogy, suppose the database server is a file cabinet, each individual drawers would represent a database - dividing the space into logical units that store data according to a general logical units (for example, supposing we had multiple computer programs, each application would store information in its own database). Then to push the analogy further, in each drawer we would have folders that further subdivide the data into a specific topic. For example, we could put all accounting data in one table, all sales information into another table, all client information in another table and so on. Finally, each document would represent an actual record or row in the database. As long as information is stored in a logical way, it is easy to tell anyone to add information, remove or update information by simply specifying where the document is and what we want done to it. SQL, short for standard query language is designed for doing such queries in an english like language. There are four major types of operations you can do on the data:
  • INSERT queries - All database start empty, so you need to put data in. These calls add data to the an existing database
  • SELECT queries - Once data is in, you need to use it. Select queries retrieve data from the server, potentially filtering it and performing other logic in the process.
  • DELETE queries - Once data is no longer needed, you may want to remove it from your records. These calls removes informatio from a server.
  • UPDATE queries - Sometimes information is outdated, these calls modify existing records
The following queries assume you have a table users defined as follows: CREATE TABLE users ( id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, username VARCHAR(100), firstname VARCHAR(100), lastname VARCHAR(100), url VARCHAR(100) );

Insert queries

Whenever you need to insert data into a database, you use an insert query. Assuming you you are connected to your database and you have a table called MyTable, the syntax is the following

INSERT INTO MyTable (field1,field2,field3) VALUES (VALUE1,VALUE2, VALUE3)

Please note that sometimes, you will need to insert more than one row at the time. For performance reasons, rather than using multiple insert statements, you can specify more than one row at the time: INSERT INTO users (username,first,last) VALUES ('jstewart','Jon', 'Stewart')  

Select Queries

Queries on records
Insert a row insert into tablename (field1,field2) VALUES (field1_content,field2_content)
List all record select * from tablename
find on a criteria select * from tablename where numericfield=value [and stringfield=’value’]
Delete records delete [LOW_PRIORITY] FROM tablename [where field(s)=criteria] [limit maxrows]
Update a row (s) UPDATE SET field=’value’[,field2=’value’..] [where clause] [order clause] [limit #]
  You can get infos about executed queries with mysql_info(), returning a string in the following format:

Record: 100              Duplicates: 0            Warnings: 0

  Warnings: when null placed in not null column (reverts to default), out of range or illegal value (0 or stripped) Duplicates: Errors due to attempted insertion of duplicate value in unique field   Select query Syntax SELECT [STRAIGHT_JOIN] [SQL_SMALL_RESULT] [SQL_BIG_RESULT] [SQL_BUFFER_RESULT] [HIGH_PRIORITY] [DISTINCT | DISTINCTROW | ALL] [select_expression,... [fieldname] [, table.field] [concat(last_name, ‘, ‘, First_Name) as fieldalias] [, math expression] [INTO {OUTFILE | DUMPFILE} 'file_name' export_options] [FROM table_references [tablename [AS tablealiasforclarity] [, database2.table2] ] [WHERE where_definition] [GROUP BY {unsigned_integer | col_name | formula}] [HAVING where_definition] [ORDER BY {unsigned_integer | col_name | formula} [ASC | DESC] ,...] [LIMIT [offset,] rows] [PROCEDURE procedure_name] ]

Table Joins
Left Outer Join select t1.name, t2.salary from employee AS t1, info AS t2 where t1.name = t2.name;
Natural [left] join All Columns with the same name are assumed equal
RIGHT JOIN Similar to left join, but not recommended to keep queries portable
The USING clause A LEFT JOIN B USING (Column1, Column2, Column3,...)
STRAIGHT_JOIN The left table is explicitely loaded before the right, to make sure the right order is respected
  Examples: select * from table1,table2 where table1.id=table2.id; select * from table1 LEFT JOIN table2 ON table1.id=table2.id; select * from table1 LEFT JOIN table2 USING (id); select * from table1 LEFT JOIN table2 ON table1.id=table2.id LEFT JOIN table3 ON table2.id=table3.id; select * from table1 USE INDEX (key1,key2) WHERE key1=1 and key2=2 AND key3=3; select * from table1 IGNORE INDEX (key3) WHERE key1=1 and key2=2 AND key3=3;