What is Database Language?

Databases are an essential part of many modern software applications, allowing for the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data. To communicate with databases, developers, and users must use a specialized language known as the database language. In this article, we will explain the basics of database language, including what it this, how it works, why it’s important, advantages and applications of database languages.

What is Database Language?

Hey guys, Database language allows users to communicate with the database with queries, fetching, updating, inserting, or deleting tasks. Structured Query Language (SQL) is a computer DB language. Now SQL is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed to manage and communicate with data in relational database management systems (RDBMS). There are basically, five (5) types of commands in SQL DB language –

1. DDL (Data Definition Language), Examples are – CREATE, ALTER, DROP, TRUNCATE.
2. DML (Data Manipulation Language), Examples are – INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, SELECT (Strictly a part of DQL Command).
3. DCL (Data Control Language), Examples are – GRANT, REVOKE, DENY.
4. TCL (Transaction Control Language), Examples are – BEGIN, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVEPOINT.
5. DQL (Data Query Language), Example is – SELECT.

Note: All the above command’s depth is already covered in earlier article posts. To read those topics you can click on the above which will re-directed you to the article post separately. In this article, you will learn more interesting and important things pertaining to a database language.

How Does Database Language Work?

Database language works by providing a way for users to communicate with databases. When a user executes a query to a database using a DB language, the database processes the query and returns the requested data. This process is known as a database transaction.

Database languages are typically divided into two categories- data definition language (DDL) and data manipulation language (DML). DDL is used to define the structure of a database, while DML is used to insert, update, and delete data within the database.

Importance of Database Language

Database language plays a critical role in managing data efficiently. Some of the important benefits of using database language are-

1. Database language ensures that the stored data is accurate and consistent.
2. It helps in eliminating data redundancy and improving data quality.
3. DB language provides a simple and efficient way to retrieve data from the database.
4. It allows users to filter and sort data based on their requirements.
5. With the help of DB language, businesses can make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable data.
6. It allows users to generate reports and analyze data to identify trends and patterns.
7. DB language helps in managing data efficiently.
8. It allows users to add, modify, and delete data from the database easily.

Database Language Elements

SQL is a standard computer database language that must be followed by every relational database management system. The following are the database language elements –

1. Queries
2. Expressions
3. Keywords
4. Predicates
5. Clauses

1. Queries elements in database language

A query is basically an SQL statement that fetches data from a database as follows –

Syntax:

SELECT * FROM Table_Name;

Example:

USE SQLPOST
GO
SELECT * FROM Employee;
GO

Screenshot: Below screenshot for reference –

In the above query result, All data displayed from the employee table and the entire query statement is known as Query.

2. Expressions elements in database language

An expression is a basic function or formula which is written in an SQL statement i.e. +, -, *, /, avg, sum, etc as follows –

Syntax:

SELECT Column1, ColumnN, ColumnN+5000 AS RevisedColumnN FROM Table_Name;

Example:

USE SQLPOST
GO
SELECT Employee_ID, First_Name, Employee_ID+5000 AS RevisedEmployee_ID FROM Employee;
GO

Screenshot: Below screenshot for reference –

In the above query result, All rows with specific column data are displayed from the employee table where a formula is added into the Employee_ID column like added 5000 and shown in a separate column as RevisedEmployee_ID with revised data where 5000 is added into each employee id. Changes can be seen together in the above screenshot.

3. Keywords elements in database language

The keywords are used to perform a specific operation on the database i.e. SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DENY, etc as follows –

Example:

CREATE, ALTER, DROP, TRUNCATE, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, GRANT, REVOKE, DENY, BEGIN, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVEPOINT, SELECT, etc.

4. Predicates elements in database language

A Predicate is a keyword that builds a relationship between two or more expressions and provides data on the basis of a TRUE or FALSE condition.

Syntax:

SELECT * FROM Table_Name WHERE Condition;

Example:

USE SQLPOST
GO
SELECT * FROM Employee WHERE Employee_ID = '26'
GO

Screenshot: Below screenshot for reference –

In the above query result, All rows with all columns data are displayed from the employee table on the basis of employee_id column value i.e. Employee_ID=’26’. In the above query ’26’ is the predicate.

5. Clauses elements in database language

The clauses are basically filtering the data from the database used in the query i.e. SELECT, FROM, WHERE, AND, OR, etc.

Syntax:

SELECT * FROM Table_Name WHERE Condition;

Example:

USE SQLPOST
GO
SELECT * FROM Employee WHERE Employee_ID = '26' AND First_Name='Rana';
GO

Screenshot: Below screenshot for reference –

In the above query result, All rows with all columns data displayed from the employee table on the basis of employee_id and first_name column value i.e. Employee_ID=’26’ and First_Name = ‘Rana’. In the above query FROM, WHERE, AND are the clauses.

Difference between DDL and DML Commands

Here is the basic difference between the DDL and DML command in RDBMS –

1. An user can define the structure of a database or its objects using DDL commands but data can be managed or manipulated and stored in a database using DML commands.
2. A DDL is not classified but DML is classified as procedural and non-procedural.
3. User cannot roll back DDL statements but DML statements can be rolled-back.
4. Whole database object impacts while using DDL statements but DML statements impact only one or more rows.
5. A DDL defines the column of a database object i.e. table but DML defines the data rows of a database object i.e. data
6. DDL comes under declarative but DML comes under imperative
7. CREATE, ALTER, DROP, TRUNCATE, RENAME, and COMMENT come under DDL commands but INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE come under DML commands

Difference between DDL and TCL Commands

Here is the basic difference between the DDL and TCL command in RDBMS –

1. DDL stands for Data Definition Language but TCL stands for Transaction Control Language.
2. DDL commands are used to define the structure of a database and its objects but TCL commands are used to control the transactions within the database SQL queries.
3. Database transactions can not be handled using DDL commands but the same can be handled using TCL commands.
4. DDL commands don’t require log files for maintaining the database but TCL commands require log files for maintaining the database.
5. ALTER, CREATE, and DROP are DDL commands but COMMIT and ROLLBACK are TCL commands.

Difference Between DDL, DML, DCL, and TCL Commands

Here is the basic difference between the DDL, DML, DCL, and TCL commands in RDBMS –

1. DDL, DML, DCL, and TCL all are used in Structured Query Language – Relational Database Management System.
2. DDL full form is Data Definition Language, DML full form is Data Manipulation Language, DCL full form is Data Control Language and TCL full form is Transaction Control Language.
3. DDLs are used to create, modify and remove the structure of database objects in a database, DML is used to manipulate and populate the data stored in the database, DCL is used to control accesses of the database and its objects to valid users, and TCL is used to control the transaction processing within the database.
4. DML commands classification is Procedural and Non-Procedural in basic terms but DDL, DCL, and TCL command classification is none in basic terms.
5. CREATE, DROP, ALTER, and TRUNCATE come under DDL commands, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE comes under DML command, GRANT, REVOKE, DENY comes under DCL commands and START, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVEPOINT comes under TCL commands.

Difference between DELETE and TRUNCATE table statements

Here is the basic difference between DELETE and TRUNCATE table statements in RDBMS –

1. DELETE is a DML command but TRUNCATE is a DDL command.
2. We can use WHERE CLAUSE while using the DELETE command but it cannot use in the TRUNCATE command.
3. DELETE is slower in performance than TRUNCATE because it maintains logs for every record.
4. We can roll back data in DELETE but can’t roll back data in TRUNCATE because TRUNCATE removes the records permanently.
5. TRUNCATE resets the identity counter but DELETE doesn’t.
6. A trigger doesn’t fire in the case of TRUNCATE but Triggers can fire in the case of a DELETE command.

Advantages of Database Language

SQL database language is very popular and highly demanded because it has many advantages. SQL is used to communicate with the database efficiently. A few basic advantages are as follows –

1. Standard Language: SQL is a standard language that provides a uniform platform to all users worldwide.
2. Interactive Language: SQL is very easy to understand and learn. All type of queries runs and provide result quickly.
3. Faster Query Processing: SQL processes queries very fast to retrieve data quickly and efficiently in the operations i.e. select, insert, update and delete, etc.
4. Portability: SQL is very flexible to use in the cloud, server, laptop, and personal computer, and also it can be used in other programming languages and applications.
5. No Coding: SQL is user friendly and no coding is required to perform DDL, DML, or DCL operations i.e. SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, etc.

Applications of Database Language

SQL is a DB language that is used by DBAs and application developers, application supports, and analysts as follows –

1. SQL database language is used for data retrieval script queries.
2. It is used for data modification, insertion, and deletion script queries.
3. SQL DB language is used for data integration script queries.
4. This is used for data reporting script queries.
5. It is used for data analysis script queries.

FAQs

Conclusion

Database language is an essential part of managing modern databases. It provides a way for users to communicate with databases. There are many different database languages, and each has its own syntax and commands. SQL is one of the most popular database languages, but there are also other databases such as MySQL, Oracle, and MongoDB. If you are a beginner or an experienced developer, learning DB language is a valuable skill that can help you to manage and access data efficiently. So, DB language is a powerful language that can help you to use the full potential of your databases.

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