Understanding the SQL programming language

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SQL = Structured Query Language
RDBMS = Relational DataBase Management System (e.g. PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, etc.)

• SQL is the standard language for storing, manipulating and retrieving data in RDBMS.
• SQL is the ANSI and ISO standard; each RDBMS implements it with slightly different interpretations (e.g. PSQL, TSQL, etc).

There are two distinct subtypes of SQL - Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML). Data Definition Language SQL is used to create databases and tables; Data Manipulation Language allows you to join and manipulate the data in your RDBMS.