What Is SQL Used For and Advantages of Using SQL

what is SQL used for

SQL, which is used for data processing, is a language that lets you manipulate, filter, and summarize data to perform analysis. It is one of the most important skills a data analyst needs to have. But what is SQL used for? Why do people need these skills? You will get the answer to all your queries as you continue reading this blog.

In the corporate world, the concept of data is continuously changing and evolving. In today’s world, a huge number of data is saved digitally. The significance of data collection, evaluation, and management has grown dramatically throughout time. It has given businesses new depths. Also, it made them more challenging to operate. Precision data capture, monitoring, and archiving, on the other hand, can help companies in addressing these problems.

This database management system is used as an interface in various businesses to assist people in connecting to databases. It also helps in the organization of data to be quickly accessible. Almost all data on the internet is saved on a server or database run by a variety of companies. We need a medium that makes this data accessible and handy to use and change.

The Structured Query Language (SQL) is one of the first database management systems, simplifying the data collecting, storage, and retrieval process. Through this blog, we are going to explain some of the basic information about SQL and what is SQL used for.

What is Structured Query Language?

The Structured Query Language (SQL) was created in the 1970s and is one of the most widely used query languages for stream processing and database administration. It allows the same database to be used on several computers at the same time, making it extremely helpful while working in an office. SQL has a wide range of applications, from creation to maintenance. It also includes sublanguages like DDL, DQL, DCL, and others, which may be considered specialized statements for certain tasks.

Why Knowledge Of SQL Is Important?

There is a huge difference between knowing how to use a SQL database and knowing how to do something useful with the database. The most widely-used database language, SQL (Structured Query Language), is used for all types of databases including relational and NoSQL. SQL has a syntax and a set of functions, or procedures, that are widely used in modern database management.

It has its own language for managing data and is considered a programming language. In fact, it was designed to be a universal language for all databases. There are several SQL statements to create, update and delete data in the database.

Some Excellent Features Of SQL

  • It is simple to learn.
  • SQL is utilized to access data from RDMS 
  • It can run queries against the database.
  • SQL is utilized to define the data.
  • It is utilized to determine the data in the database and change it when required.
  • SQL is utilized to create and drop the table and database.
  • SQL permits users to set approvals on tables, procedures, and views.
  • SQL is utilized to create a view, stored procedure, and function in a database.

List of Some Excellent Databases

  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Oracle 12c
  • PostgreSQL
  • MariaDB
  • DynamoDB
  • SAP HANA
  • DB2
  • SQLite
  • InterBase
  • OrientDB
  • Cassandra
  • CouchDB
  • Firebird
  • Neo4j

SQL Process

When you run a SQL command in a Relational Database Management System, the system determines the most reliable method to fulfill your request. The SQL engine determines how the job should be interpreted. This strategy entails several distinct components.

These components are −

  • Optimization Engines
  • Query Dispatcher
  • SQL Query Engine, etc.
  • Classic Query Engine

A classic query engine handles all the non-SQL queries, but a SQL query engine will not handle logical files.

What is SQL Used For?

So, now you have some idea about what is SQL, you might be wondering what is SQL used for. As we discussed earlier, it is a programming language used to communicate with relational databases. But let’s explore that a little further. Below we have listed some of the uses of SQL.

> As a Data Definition Language 

Among the prominent uses of SQL, it is applied as Data Definition Language (DDL) to define and modify the data structure. The commands under DDL are used to add, remove or modify the tables within a database. Create, Drop, and Alter, are some of the commonly used DDLs. Further, using DDL, anyone can independently curate a database and structure it, and utilize and discard it at the end. 

> As a Data Control Language 

When SQL is used as a Data Control Language, it is primarily used to manage permissions and privileges to do specific database tasks. When it comes to the usage of this SQL sub-language, the Database Administrator typically utilizes it to grant or revoke authorization from users. DCL includes words like “grant” and “revoke.” Additionally, SQL is used with this sub-language to protect the database from misuse or corruption.

> As a Data Manipulation Language (DML)

The SQL instructions used to make changes to the database are referred to as DML. These are used to add or remove data, even down to a single cell or entry. “Insert,” “Update,” and “Delete” are some DML examples. When it comes to SQL’s DML capabilities, it simply refers to its capacity to maintain an existing database by adding new data chunks and changing, extracting, and storing them.

> As a Client-Server Language  

SQL can be used as part of a three-tier architecture that includes a client, an application, and a database, among other things. To support the client/server design, SQL is used as a Client-Server language to create a link between the front-end and back-end, hence simplifying the design. In this approach, the Internet infrastructure is given a defined framework.

Advantages of Using SQL

Now that you know what SQL is and what is SQL used for, let’s look at its impressive advantages for data collection, storing and manipulation, etc.

  • Higher Processing Speed: SQL runs at high speed when users browse the database. It assists in retrieving enormous volumes of data in a timely and effective manner.
  • Minimal Coding Need: SQL has a low coding requirement since it is extremely user-friendly. Basic SQL coding may be learned in a few days by someone who has never coded before. The coding structure is relatively straightforward, drawing mainly on the English language and employing a few special characters.
  • Data Manipulation is Easier: SQL makes it incredibly simple to access and manipulate a database. Users can edit the uploaded information in the database with a few queries, making it useful for storing dynamic data.
  • Easier Data Mining: SQL can be used for filtering and sorting data using many queries, making the data more helpful while minimizing redundancy, among other things. Users that are familiar with SQL will find it easier to browse. It is integrally employed to manage their database when SQL or MySQL is used.
  • Restricted Access: SQL is typically regarded as a secure and well-protected database. Every device in the system is password secured, making it harder for malicious people to access the data without permission.
  • Dedicated for Difficult Queries: Compared to other Database Management systems, SQL is highly reliable when it comes to delivering proper answers to complicated queries by users.

Different Types Of SQL Jobs

However, most students who plan to start a career in database administration using SQL must be seeking top-paying jobs in database administration or SQL-related fields. Continue reading to learn about the various SQL or database profiles.

1. Data Analyst

6. Software Developer

3. Database Administrator

2. Database Developer

4. Data Scientist

5. SQL Server Developer

9. ETL Developer

7. Software Consultant

8. .Net Developer

10. Big Data Engineer

Conclusion

It becomes important for every programmer to understand what is SQL used for. So many people are still not familiar with what is SQL used for.  We hope that you have learned something from it and if so, share this with your friends and colleagues and let them know about what is SQL used for and why it is important.  In case if you need any help regarding SQL assignments, you can take our SQL assignment help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some uses of SQL?

Back-end Development.
As a Data Control Language
As a Data Definition Language
As a Data Manipulation Language
Database Administration.
Marketing.
Data Analysis.

Is SQL hard to learn?

Learning SQL is easy. If you know some other languages, you can learn SQL in a few weeks. If you’re a novice, completely new to programming, it can take longer.