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SQL Commands | DDL, DQL, DML, DCL and TCL

Commands
Last Updated : 26 Nov, 2024

SQL commands are essential 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 like instructions to a table. 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

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1. Data Definition Language (DDL) in SQL
DDL or Data Definition Language actually consists of the SQL commands
that can be used to 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

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

Delete objects from the

DROP DROP TABLE table_name;
database

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 Command Description Syntax

ALTER TABLE table_name

Alter the structure of the
ALTER ADD COLUMN column_name
database
data_type;

Remove all records from a

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

Add comments to the data COMMENT 'comment_text' ON

COMMENT
dictionary TABLE table_name;

RENAME TABLE
Rename an object existing
RENAME old_table_name TO
in the database
new_table_name;

Example of DDL

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. Data Query Language (DQL) in SQL

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
Open to perform operations with it. When a
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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

SELECT column1, column2,

It is used to retrieve data
SELECT ...FROM table_name WHERE
from the database
condition;

Example of DQL

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. Data Manipulation Language (DML) in SQL

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

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 Command Description Syntax

INSERT INTO table_name (column1,

Insert data into a
INSERT column2, ...) VALUES (value1,
table
value2, ...);

Update existing UPDATE table_name SET column1 =

UPDATE data within a value1, column2 = value2 WHERE
table condition;

Delete records
DELETE FROM table_name WHERE
DELETE from a database
condition;
table

Table control
LOCK LOCK TABLE table_name IN lock_mode;
concurrency

Call a PL/SQL or
CALL CALL procedure_name(arguments);
JAVA subprogram

Describe the
EXPLAIN EXPLAIN PLAN FOR SELECT * FROM
access path to
PLAN table_name;
data

Example of DML

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. Data Control Language (DCL) in SQL

DCL (Data Control Language) includes commands such as GRANT and
REVOKE which mainly deal Open
with In
the rights, permissions, and other
App
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 GRANT privilege_type

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

Removes previously
REVOKE [GRANT OPTION FOR]
granted privileges from a
privilege_type
user account, taking away
REVOKE [(column_list)] ON
their access to certain
[object_type] object_name
database objects or
FROM user [CASCADE];
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. Transaction Control Language (TCL) in SQL

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.

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Common TCL Commands

Command Description Syntax

BEGIN BEGIN TRANSACTION

Starts a new transaction
TRANSACTION [transaction_name];

Saves all changes made

COMMIT COMMIT;
during the transaction

Undoes all changes

ROLLBACK made during the ROLLBACK;
transaction

Creates a savepoint
SAVEPOINT
SAVEPOINT within the current
savepoint_name;
transaction

Example of TCL

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.

Important SQL Commands

1. SELECT: Used to retrieve data from
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database.
 2. INSERT: Used to add new data to a database.
3. UPDATE: Used to modify existing data in a database.
4. DELETE: Used to remove data from a database.
5. CREATE TABLE: Used to create a new table in a database.
6. ALTER TABLE: Used to modify the structure of an existing table.
7. DROP TABLE: Used to delete an entire table from a database.
8. WHERE: Used to filter rows based on a specified condition.
9. ORDER BY: Used to sort the result set in ascending or descending
order.
10. JOIN: Used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a
related column between them.

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.

FAQs

What are the 5 basic SQL commands?

The five basic SQL commands are SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE,

DELETE, and CREATE. These commands allow users to retrieve, add,
modify, remove, and define database structures, forming the
foundation for database management operations.

What are the 4 types of SQL commands?

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 1. DDL (Data Definition Language): Commands like CREATE,
ALTER, and DROP to define database structure.

1. DML (Data Manipulation Language): Commands like SELECT,

INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE for data operations.

2. DCL (Data Control Language): Commands like GRANT and

REVOKE to manage permissions.

3. TCL (Transaction Control Language): Commands like COMMIT,

ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT to manage transactions.

What are DDL, DML, and DCL?

DDL (Data Definition Language): Used to define and manage

database schema (e.g., CREATE, ALTER).
DML (Data Manipulation Language): Handles data retrieval and
manipulation (e.g., SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE).
DCL (Data Control Language): Manages user permissions and
access control (e.g., GRANT, REVOKE).

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