---
title: "What is SQL?"  
description: "What is SQL?"  
author: "Erick Wilsom"  
published: 2023-10-21  
updated: 2023-10-24  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104349/what-is-sql  
category: "programming"  
tags: ["programming language"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What is SQL?



## Answers

### Answer by Saumya Mishra

**SQL (pronounced "ess-que-el") stands for Structured Query Language.** [**SQL**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104347/how-to-build-a-basic-database) **is used to communicate with a database. According to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), it is the standard language for relational [database management](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/34816/what-is-mapping-constraints-in-database-management-system) systems.**

> **SQL is used as a Data Definition Language(DDL) in which we can independently create a database, define the structure, use it, and discard it when its work is done**. SQL is used as a Data Manipulation Language(DML) in which we can enter data, modify data, extracting.

> SQL is Database [Management Systems](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/158346/what-is-sql-server-and-how-does-it-differ-from-other-relational-database-management-systems) (DBMS) are **software systems used to store, retrieve, and run queries on data**. A [DBMS](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104344/what-is-back-end-development) serves as an interface between an end-user and a database, allowing users to create, read, update, and delete [data in the database](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159370/sql-join-returns-null-records-when-there-is-no-data-in-the-database-in-sql-server-why).

> Structured query language (SQL) is **a programming** [**language**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104340/what-is-html-css-javascript) **for storing and processing information in a [relational database](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/158028/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-using-a-nosql-database-over-a-relational-database)**.

SQL, which stands for **structured query language**, is a [programming language](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/303311/exploring-go-programming-language-pros-and-cons-you-should-know) in which the user queries [relational databases](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/158002/what-is-nosql-and-how-does-it-differ-from-traditional-relational-databases). Data scientists use SQL in Python in a variety of instances, dictated by the use case at hand or by personal preference.

## Benefits of using SQL

- Commonality. One of the main benefits of using SQL is the commonality of the language.
- Simplicity. Another benefit of using SQL is the simplicity of the language.
- Integration.
- Speed.
- Alter data within a table.
- Create a table.
- Retrieve data.
- Change data structure.

## These SQL commands are mainly categorized into five categories:

- DDL – Data Definition Language.
- DQL – Data Query Language.
- DML – Data Manipulation Language.
- DCL – Data Control Language.
- TCL – [Transaction Control](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/34154/how-many-types-of-transaction-control-in-sql) Language.


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/104349/what-is-sql

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