SQL SERVER BASICS

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SQL Server
These are the basic topics focusing around the beginning aspects of using SQL Server. Topics are
kept general as to apply to most RDBMS’ similar to SQL Server
SQL Server Basics
SQL Server Languages – DML, DDL, DQL, DCL

DML – Data Manipulation Language – Insert, Update, Delete, Truncate*

Insert – Add data to an existing table

Insert into TableA values (1,’Hello’,’World’)

Update – Change the value in a row

Update TableA
Set Column3 = ‘Univierse’
Where Column3 = ‘World’

Delete – Remove rows of data from a table

Delete
From TableA
Where Column1 = 1

Truncate – Remove ALL rows of data from a table (May be considered DDL by some)

Truncate Table
TableA

DDL – Data Definition Language – Create, Alter, Drop

Create – Create or define an object in SQL Server

Create Table TableA

(Column1 int, Column2 varchar(20), Column3 varchar(20))

Alter – Modify or change the table structure and columns

Alter Table TableA

Add Column4 nvarchar(50)

Alter Table TableA

Drop Column Column4

Alter Table TableA

Alter Column Column3 varchar(200)

Drop – Remove an object from the database

Drop table
TableA

Drop database
Adventureworks2012

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SQL Server Basics

DQL – Data Query Language – Select, From, Where, Group By, Having, Order By

Select – Choose which columns of data to display

Select Column1, Column2, Column3

From – Specify the table where data is being retrieved

From dbo.TableA

Where – Provide a condition to filter the result set

Where Column1 = 1

Group By – Combine matching data points within a column

Group By Column1

Having – Provide a condition to filter aggregated columns

Having Sum(Column1) =< 100

Order By – Choose which columns to sort the data by

Order By Column3 Desc

DCL – Data Control Language – Grant, Revoke, Deny

Grant – Give permissions to someone to perform an action on an object

Grant Select
On dbo.TableA
To Jane

Revoke – Take back a given permission from a user

Revoke Select
On dbo.TableA
From Jane

Deny – Prevent someone from doing an operation on an object

Deny Select
On dbo.TableA
To Jane

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SQL Server Basics
SQL Server Constraints

Key Constraints – Primary Key, Foreign Key, Unique (Key)

Primary Key – Also uses Not Null and Unique, this specifies a column(s) to be used in identifying
each individual row of data. It will create a Unique Clustered Index as a result.

Alter Table TableA

Add Primary Key (Column1)

Foreign Key – Used to specify that the chosen column will be referencing another column set of
data in table.

Alter Table TableB

Add Foreign Key (Column1)
References TableA(Column1)

Unique Key – Used to specify that a column(s) should be indexed and sorted for faster retrieval
of data. Used on columns that are commonly queried. Creates Unique non clustered index.

Alter Table TableA

Add Unique (Column2)

Column Constraints – Not Null, Check, Default

Check – Used to limit what values will be valid within the column.

Alter Table TableA

Add Check (Column1 <= 100)

Not Null – Specify if Null values are allowed within a column or not

Alter Table TableA

Alter Column Column1 int Not Null

Default – Will insert a default value if there is no value given

Alter Table TableA

Alter Column Column1 Default 999999

Dropping a Constraint

All constraints except Null and Not Null can be removed. A column must always be either Null
or Not Null

Alter Table TableA

Drop Constraint Constraint_Name

Alter Table TableA

Drop Primary Key

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SQL Server Basics
Joining Tables in SQL

Tables are often divided into smaller pieces through the process of Normalization. This helps to limit
data to only what is needed at any given time. The less data you pull, the faster the process. Sometimes
though, we need more information and must combine tables together. This is often done using Joins.

Joins – Inner, Right Outer, Left Outer, Full Outer

Inner Join – This will combine rows from multiple tables, where the column values must match

Select *
From TableA
Inner join TableB
On TableA.Column1 = TableB.Column1

Left Outer Join – This will display the matching values between the two tables, just like inner
join, but ALSO display the non-matching values from the first table

Select *
From TableA
Left Outer join TableB
On TableA.Column1 = TableB.Column1

Right Outer Join – This will display the matching values between the two tables, just like inner
join, but ALSO display the non-matching values from the second table

Select *
From TableA
Right Outer join TableB
On TableA.Column1 = TableB.Column1

Full Outer Join – This join will display all values from both tables, whether they match or do not
match

Select *
From TableA
Full Outer join TableB
On TableA.Column1 = TableB.Column1

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SQL Server Basics
Data Modeling in SQL Server

Data modeling is essential in the creation of any database. Here, you’ll design a blue print to the overall
design of the entire database. Each individual table, column, and relationship would be displayed. To do
this we use Entity Relationship Diagrams like below.

In this ER-Diagram, each table is known as an Entity. They are represented with the Rectangles

The columns that would be found in those tables are displayed as attributes, with ovals

This diagram is in a simple form, and displaying only the Entities and Attributes. There are no direct
references to the type of relationships that are being used.

Relationships are how entities relate or connect their data to one another. Relationships will often be
displayed using a diamond shape, as seen in the next figure.

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SQL Server Basics

In this more detailed ER-Diagram, we can see the relationships, their description, and how many
instances for each entity.

With the descriptions, you see them in Diamond shapes, showing what action is being taken within the
relationship. This just helps to understand the nature of the relation and how the data connects

In small annotations, you’ll see [1:1], [1:M], and sometimes [M:N]. These are the instances or cardinality
of how many times an entity is participating in the relationship. Most commonly you’ll have either one-
to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many.

1 Employee → Assigned → 1 Parking Spot

1 Teacher → Teaches → Many Classes

Many Students → Enroll In → Many Courses

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