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SQL FAQ

SQL FAQ: Table of Contents

1. What is SQL?
2. Why should I use SQL?
3. How do I access/transfer data from an SQL database?
4. Is it possible to make Web sites that interact with an SQL database?
5. What is mSQL?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. SQL, Structured Query Language, is a database query language that was adopted as an industry standard in 1986.

SQL is an acronym that stands for Structured Query Language. It is often pronounced "sequel." It was developed in the mid 1970s by IBM.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organisation (ISO) have adopted SQL as the standard language for relational database management systems.

SQL provides commands for a variety of tasks including:

• querying data
• inserting, updating and deleting rows in a table
• creating, replacing, altering and dropping objects
• controlling access to the database and its objects
• guaranteeing database consistency and integrity

SQL provides easy to learn commands that are both consistent and applicable for all users.

While most relational database management systems - including mSQL - provide support for SQL, each vendor usually has their own unique extensions to the language that may hinder the portability of SQL procedures from one database platform to another.

The technology behind SQL makes it far superior compared to traditional databases such as Access, Paradox, FoxPro, etc. SQL is faster, more powerful and is very fault tolerant.

Connecting to an SQL database can be accomplished through many means. You can use an ODBC connection to make applications like MS Access or Visual Inderdev directly connect to your SQL database. However, if you want total control over all the aspects of your database, it is recommended that you use SQL Enterprise Manager or a Transact-SQL Client application such as SQL Query.

Yes, this can also be accomplished through different technologies. The typical method of doing this is by using Scripting Languages such as Active Server Pages (ASP) or ColdFusion. These languages have the built in capability to execute SQL statements that can interact and even modify SQL databases.

Some advanced applications like Macromedia UltraDev, Visual Inderdev, and Frontpage 2000 also have the capability to easily create Web pages that interact with SQL databases. Using applications such as these makes things a lot easier for novices or people under time constraints.

mSQL is mini SQL, a lightweight database engine designed to provide fast access to stored data with low memory requirements. As its name implies, mSQL offers a subset of SQL as its query interface. Although it only supports a subset of SQL, everything it supports is in accordance with the ANSI SQL specification.

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