MySQL SELECT Row(s) Statement

MySQL SELECT ROW(s) Statement

The MySQL SELECT statement is used to retrieve data from one or more tables. This statement is essential for querying the database and extracting the desired information.

Syntax

SELECT column1, column2, ...
FROM table_name
[WHERE condition]
[ORDER BY column [ASC|DESC]]
[LIMIT number];

The SELECT statement has the following components:

  • column1, column2, ...: The columns to be retrieved.
  • table_name: The name of the table from which to retrieve the data.
  • [WHERE condition]: An optional condition to filter the rows.
  • [ORDER BY column [ASC|DESC]]: An optional clause to sort the results.
  • [LIMIT number]: An optional clause to limit the number of rows returned.

Example MySQL SELECT ROW(s) Statement

Let's look at some examples of the MySQL SELECT statement:

Step 1: Using the Database

USE mydatabase;

This query sets the context to the database named mydatabase.

MySQL USE DATABASE

Step 2: Creating a Table

Create a table to work with:

CREATE TABLE employees (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    first_name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    last_name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
    email VARCHAR(100) UNIQUE
);

This query creates a table named employees with columns for id, first_name, last_name, and email.

MySQL CREATE TABLE

Step 3: Inserting Initial Rows

Insert some initial rows into the table:

INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name, email)
VALUES ('John', 'Doe', 'john.doe@example.com'),
       ('Jane', 'Smith', 'jane.smith@example.com');

This query inserts two rows into the employees table.

MySQL INSERT INTO TABLE

Step 4: Selecting All Rows

Select all rows from the table:

SELECT * 
FROM employees;

This query retrieves all columns from all rows in the employees table.

MySQL SELECT ALL ROWS

Step 5: Selecting Specific Columns

Select specific columns from the table:

SELECT first_name, last_name FROM employees;

This query retrieves the first_name and last_name columns from all rows in the employees table.

MySQL SELECT SPECIFIC COLUMNS

Step 6: Using a WHERE Clause

Select rows based on a condition:

SELECT * 
FROM employees 
WHERE last_name = 'Doe';

This query retrieves all columns from rows in the employees table where the last_name is 'Doe'.

MySQL SELECT WITH WHERE CLAUSE

Step 7: Ordering the Results

Select rows and sort the results:

SELECT * 
FROM employees ORDER BY first_name ASC;

This query retrieves all columns from all rows in the employees table, sorted by first_name in ascending order.

MySQL SELECT WITH ORDER BY

Step 8: Limiting the Results

Select a limited number of rows:

SELECT * 
FROM employees LIMIT 1;

This query retrieves all columns from the first row in the employees table.

MySQL SELECT WITH LIMIT

Conclusion

The MySQL SELECT statement is a powerful tool for retrieving data from tables. Understanding how to use the SELECT statement is essential for effective data querying and analysis in MySQL.