What Is SQL and Why Interviewers Ask It
Define SQL, DDL vs DML vs DCL vs TCL, and the difference between SQL and a relational database engine.
Why This Question Opens Interviews
Almost every SQL interview opens with "What is SQL?" It's a filter: a strong answer names what SQL is, what it works on, and its statement types. Let's build yours.
What SQL Actually Is
SQL is a declarative language for relational databases: you describe the result you want, and the engine figures out how. It works on tables of rows and columns.
SELECT name, salary
FROM employees
WHERE department = 'Engineering';All lessons in this course
- What Is SQL and Why Interviewers Ask It
- Logical Query Execution Order
- Primary Keys, Foreign Keys and Constraints
- Reading a Schema Under Pressure