Writing a Basic Query

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Writing SELECT Statements

When Sheila writes a basic query, two mandatory clauses in the SELECT statement syntax are required: a SELECT clause and a FROM clause.

The SELECT statement syntax is displayed. The SELECT clause specifies the columns that you want to display. The FROM clause specifies the tables that contain those columns.

Syntax

SELECT [DISTINCT] * | column [alias], ...
FROM table;

SELECT	Lists one or more columns
DISTINCT	Eliminates the display of dupicate rows
*	Selects all columns
COLUMN	Selects the named column
ALIAS	Gives selected columns a customized heading
FROM	Identifies the table or tables containing the columns