Stuctured Query Language Structured Query Language, also known as SQL, is an industry-standard language for creating, updating, and querying relational database management systems (RDBMS). There are three basic components for SQL: Data Definition Language (DDL) — for creation and modification of relational schema as well as schema objects include relations, indexes, etc. Data Manipulation Language (DML) — for inserting, deleting, and updating rows in tables, as well as querying data in tables Data Control Language (DCL) — for concurrency control and transactions, as well as administrative tasks including the set up of database users and groups, table security permissions including grants and roles, etc. SQL Standard Revisions SQL-86 SQL-87 SQL-89 SQL-92 also known as SQL2 SQL:1999 also known as SQL3 SQL:2003 SQL2003 SQL2003 is the fifth (latest) revision of the SQL database query language that includes XML-related features, window functions, standardized sequences and columns with auto-generated values (including identity-columns). The following includes the sections of the ISO Information technology on Database languages that comprise the SQL:2003 standard. ISO/IEC 9075-1:2003 Framework (SQL/Framework) ISO/IEC 9075-2:2003 Foundation (SQL/Foundation) ISO/IEC 9075-3:2003 Call-Level Interface (SQL/CLI) ISO/IEC 9075-4:2003 Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM) ISO/IEC 9075-9:2003 Management of External Data (SQL/MED) ISO/IEC 9075-10:2003 Object Language Bindings (SQL/OLB) ISO/IEC 9075-11:2003 Information and Definition Schemas (SQL/Schemata) ISO/IEC 9075-13:2003 SQL Routines and Types Using the Java Programming Language (SQL/JRT) ISO/IEC 9075-14:2003 XML-Related Specifications (SQL/XML) Examples SQL Syntax Wikipedia Comaprison of SQL Syntax CategoryGlossary