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What are SQL Keywords?

Keywords are command words that tell the database what to do. Like telling a robot: "SHOW me data" or "FIND students".

The 6 Must-Know Keywords

1. SELECT - What to show

SELECT *           -- Show everything
SELECT name        -- Show only name
SELECT name, age   -- Show name and age

2. FROM - Where to look

SELECT * FROM students;   -- Look in students table
SELECT * FROM contacts;   -- Look in contacts table

3. WHERE - Filter results

SELECT * FROM students WHERE age > 20;      -- Only age above 20
SELECT * FROM students WHERE grade = 'A';   -- Only grade A

4. ORDER BY - Sort results

SELECT * FROM students ORDER BY age;        -- Youngest first
SELECT * FROM students ORDER BY age DESC;   -- Oldest first

5. LIMIT - How many to show

SELECT * FROM students LIMIT 3;   -- Show only first 3

6. AND / OR - Combine filters

SELECT * FROM students WHERE age > 20 AND grade = 'A';  -- Both must be true
SELECT * FROM students WHERE grade = 'A' OR grade = 'B'; -- Either can be true

Putting It All Together

SELECT name, age
FROM students
WHERE grade = 'A'
ORDER BY age DESC
LIMIT 3;

This says: Show name and age, from students table, only grade A, oldest first, just 3 results.

Quick Reference

SELECT - What columns to show
FROM - Which table to look in
WHERE - Filter with conditions
ORDER BY - Sort results
LIMIT - How many rows to show
AND/OR - Combine multiple conditions

Comparison Symbols

= equals, > greater than, < less than
>= greater or equal, <= less or equal, != not equal

Remember: Text needs quotes ('John'), numbers don't (20).

Practice: Filter with WHERE

This shows students older than 20. Try changing 20 to 19!

SQL Editor

Output

Click "Run Query" to see results

Practice: Sort and Limit

Shows 3 oldest students. Try changing DESC to ASC!