SQL CLAUSES

Like a sentence, a SQL statement has clauses. Each clause performs a function for the SQL statement.
Some clauses are required in a SELECT statement. The following table lists the most common SQL
clauses.

SQL WHAT IT DOES REQUIRED

CLAUSE
SELECT Lists the fields that contain data of interest. Yes
FROM Lists the tables that contain the fields listed in the SELECT clause. Yes
WHERE Specifies field criteria that must be met by each record to be included No
in the results.
ORDER Specifies how to sort the results. No
BY
GROUP In a SQL statement that contains aggregate functions, lists fields that Only if there are
BY are not summarized in the SELECT clause. such fields
HAVING In a SQL statement that contains aggregate functions, specifies No
conditions that apply to fields that are summarized in the SELECT
statement.

SQL TERMS
Each SQL clause is composed of terms — comparable to parts of speech. The following table lists types
of SQL terms.

SQL TERM COMPARABLE PART DEFINITION EXAMPLE

OF SPEECH
Identifier noun A name that you use to identify a database Customers.[Phone
object, such as the name of a field. Number]
Operator verb or adverb A keyword that represents an action or AS
modifies an action.
Constant noun A value that does not change, such as a 42
number or NULL.
Expression adjective A combination of identifiers, operators, >= Products.[Unit
constants, and functions that evaluates to a Price]
single value.
Select Statement
SELECT [column_name] FROM [table_name];

Append Statement
INSERT INTO [table_name] ([column1], [column2], [column3])
VALUES ('value1', #value2#, value3);

This assumes value1 is a string, value2 is a date and value 3 is some other datatype

Update Statement
UPDATE [table_name] SET [column_name] = 'value1'
WHERE [other_column]=value2;

Delete Statement
DELETE * FROM [table_name];

Create Table Statement

SELECT Column1, Column2 INTO NewTable
FROM OldTable;

Distinct values only

SELECT DISTINCT [column_name] FROM [table_name];

Top 10 in an Ordered Query

SELECT TOP 10 [column_1], [column_2]
FROM [table_name]
ORDER BY [column_1];

Order by is Ascending by default. Use DESC at the of the statement to reverse the order.

IN Value List
SELECT [column_name]
FROM [table_name]
WHERE [column_name] IN ('value1', 'value2', 'value3');

Between Numbers
SELECT [column_name]
FROM [table_name]
WHERE [column_name] BETWEEN value1 AND value2;

Between Dates
SELECT [column_name]
FROM [table_name]
WHERE [column_name] BETWEEN #value1# AND #value2#;

Like and * wildcard

SELECT [column_name]
FROM [table_name]
WHERE [column_name] LIKE '*value*';

Count
SELECT COUNT([column_name])
FROM [table_name];

However in Aggregate queries if other columns are returned you must use Group By

SELECT COUNT([column_1]), [Column2]

FROM [table_name]
GROUP BY [Column2];

JOINS
SELECT [Table1].[Column_1], [Table2].[Column_2]
FROM Table1 INNER JOIN Table2
ON [Table1].[ID] = [Table2].[ID];

LEFT, RIGHT and INNER JOINS follow the same syntax.

Full outer joins are achieved by using no join as follows:

SELECT [Table1].[Column_1], [Table2].[Column_2]

FROM Table1, Table2;

Union
SELECT [column_name] FROM [table_1]
UNION [ALL]
SELECT [column_name] FROM [table_2];

The ALL predicate is required if you don't want duplicate records to be dropped.
UNION on it's own has the effect of using the DISTINCT predicate in a SELECT clause.