What is SQL? Learn SQL step by step?

 What is SQL? Learn SQL step by step?

In exploring the tech world, you often hear the word SQL. What is it and why is it so popular?

What is SQL 

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a special language or a simple coding, an easier version of programming languages (like HTML/Python), used to talk to databases. Databases are like a cupboard; in a cupboard, you have horizontal and vertical shelves where you store and manage your stuff. Same as in databases, these vertical and horizontal shelves are called Rows and Columns, where you store and manage your large data like an Excel. 

With SQL, you can perform 4 operations 

Create or add data (like in school, add a new student to your school databases) 

Read data (read data/info about currently enrolled student) 

Update data (change or update info about the currently enrolled student) 

Delete data (delete data about the student) 

These 4 actions are called CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete

Simple SQL Examples

How to learn SQL step by step 

1. Understand the basics 

• First, learn what a database is, like what a table, row, and column are.
• Start to learn with simple commands like: select, insert, update, and delete 

2. Practice Online 

• Free websites like W3schools SQL, SQL ZOO, help to practice SQL directly in the Browser 

3. Install a database 

• Download free tools like MySQL, SQLITE
• Create your own table likes (like movies or expenses) and run queries

4. Do small Projects 

• Like, create a database for your monthly expenses 
• Use SQL to ask "how much money did I spend last month? 

5. Go deeper 

• Learn about joins ( to combine tables) 
• Explore advanced topics like indexes and views 

How SQL is Different from Other Coding Languages 

In normal coding (like Python or Java), you write many lines and instructions step by step 

In SQL, you just tell and ask the database what you want in simple English in coding style 

Example 

One line of SQL code does the same job; that's why SQL is often referred to as simple and entry-level in coding. 

Conclusion 

SQL is essentially transforming an English sentence into simple coding, used almost everywhere, whether it is a personal-use app, a school, a banking system, or a website.

Learning SQL is like learning how to ask simple questions from databases; once you get it, new opportunities are waiting for you in the corner.