SQL SELECT Basics

SELECT reads data from a table. Choose columns, filter rows with WHERE, and sort with ORDER BY.

SQLbeginner6 min read

Imagine a students table with the columns name, age and city. SELECT asks the database for some of that data.

SQL

SELECT name, age
FROM students
WHERE city = 'Siem Reap'
ORDER BY age DESC;

Reading the query

Filtering rows · SQL

-- students: (Dara, 19, Phnom Penh), (Sophea, 21, Siem Reap), (Vuthy, 20, Siem Reap)
SELECT name FROM students WHERE city = 'Siem Reap';

Expected output

Sophea
Vuthy

Common mistake: Using double quotes for text

In standard SQL, text values use single quotes: 'Siem Reap'. Double quotes are for column names.

Check your understanding

3 quick questions about this lesson.

SQL SELECT Basics · CodeChallenge