Scribd
Upload
2 views3 pages

03 SQL Insert Update Delete

This document provides a beginner-friendly guide on SQL data manipulation commands: INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, emphasizing the importance of using WHERE clauses to prevent unintended changes. It explains transactions for grouping changes and the use of constraints to ensure data integrity. A safe change checklist is also included to help users execute changes cautiously.

Uploaded by

shawnreeves2000
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views3 pages

03 SQL Insert Update Delete

This document provides a beginner-friendly guide on SQL data manipulation commands: INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, emphasizing the importance of using WHERE clauses to prevent unintended changes. It explains transactions for grouping changes and the use of constraints to ensure data integrity. A safe change checklist is also included to help users execute changes cautiously.

Uploaded by

shawnreeves2000
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SQL INSERT, UPDATE & DELETE

Learn to change data safely and understand transactions and constraints.

Beginner-friendly explanations, examples, and practice.


1. INSERT
INSERT INTO Students (student_id, name, age, city)
VALUES (101, 'Maya', 19, 'Hamilton');

Specify columns explicitly. This makes statements clearer and safer when table definitions
change.

INSERT INTO Students (student_id, name, age, city)


VALUES
(102, 'Liam', 21, 'Toronto'),
(103, 'Noah', 20, 'Ottawa');

2. UPDATE
UPDATE Students
SET city = 'Burlington'
WHERE student_id = 101;

The WHERE clause is critical. Without it, every row could be updated.

Tip: Before an UPDATE, run the same WHERE condition as a SELECT to confirm the target rows.

3. DELETE
DELETE FROM Students
WHERE student_id = 103;

WHERE determines which records are deleted.

Tip: DELETE without WHERE can remove every row in the table.

4. Transactions
A transaction groups changes into one logical unit. A rollback can undo uncommitted changes.

BEGIN;

UPDATE Accounts SET balance = balance - 100


WHERE account_id = 1;

UPDATE Accounts SET balance = balance + 100


WHERE account_id = 2;

COMMIT;

If something fails before COMMIT, use ROLLBACK where supported.

5. Constraints
Constraint Purpose
PRIMARY KEY Uniquely identifies rows
NOT NULL Requires a value
UNIQUE Prevents duplicates
CHECK Requires a condition
FOREIGN KEY Links tables

CREATE TABLE Users (


user_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
email VARCHAR(255) UNIQUE NOT NULL,
age INTEGER CHECK (age >= 13)
);

6. Safe Change Checklist


Identify the target rows, run a SELECT with the exact WHERE clause, confirm the result, use a
transaction when appropriate, and maintain a recovery strategy.

You might also like