SQL

SQL is the set-based, high-level declarative (4GL) computer language with which all programs and users access data in a relational database.

SQL unifies tasks such as the following in one consistent language:

  • Creating, replacing, altering, and dropping objects

  • Inserting, updating, and deleting table rows

  • Querying and analyzing data

  • Controlling access to the database and its objects

  • Guaranteeing database consistency and integrity

SQL became a standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986 and of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987.

Oracle SQL includes many extensions to the ANSI/ISO standard SQL language, and Oracle Database tools and applications provide additional statements.

For more information about SQL see SQL Language Reference.