This blog post is part 1 in a ‘mini-series’ of posts providing a high-level overview of SQL database commands. Coverage here is not exhaustive, only a brief visit of the command category. I’ve also included informative resources in addition to specific sections from the official documentation (see the closing section for the link to the main PostgreSQL documentation page). Search engines are your friend for a deeper exploration.
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* Note: PostgreSQL is the targeted Database for this overview.
Although many, if not all discussed commands, are prevalent in other SQL database systems, I am referring to the PostgreSQL environment for the purposes of this blog post.
I. Data Definition Language (DDL) Commands
Database commands that produce (CREATE), change (ALTER), or destroy (DROP) database objects are categorized under this set of language commands.
Some examples are provided below:
- Common
CREATEcommands: e.g.,CREATE DATABASE,CREATE ROLE,CREATE TABLE,CREATE INDEX,CREATE TABLE,CREATE FUNCTION,CREATE VIEW,CREATE USERetc… - Common
ALTERcommands: e.g.,ALTER TABLE,ALTER DATABASE,ALTER ROLE,ALTER INDEX,ALTER FUNCTION,ALTER TRIGGER,ALTER USERetc… - Common
DROPcommands:DROP ROLE,DROP TABLE,DROP DATABASE,DROP TRIGGER,DROP VIEW,DROP FUNCTION, etc…
Recommended reading and resources:
- From the official PostgreSQL documentation: Chapter 5. Data Definition
- Data definition language – Wikipedia
Be sure and continue to follow this series for in Part 2, we will visit SQL DML commands.
Be sure and visit the stellar on-line PostgreSQL 10 Documentation for any related questions.
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Josh Otwell is an open-source SQL database enthusiast with a passion to study and grow as a SQL Developer and blogger. Other favorite activities find him with his nose buried in a good book, article, or the Linux command line. Among those, he shares a love of tabletop RPG games, reading fantasy novels, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Disclaimer: The examples presented in this post are hypothetical ideas of how to achieve similar types of results. They are not the utmost best solution(s). Your particular goals and needs may vary. Use those practices that best benefit your needs and goals. Opinions are my own.