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The Ultimate SQL Cheatsheet

Master SQL with this essential cheatsheet of commands, joins, and best practices

A comprehensive guide to essential SQL commands, joins, set operations, and best practices for efficient database querying and management.

2025-05-03β€’2 min read
The Ultimate SQL Cheatsheet

The Ultimate SQL Cheatsheet: Essential Commands, Best Practices & Quick Reference

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the backbone of modern data management. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned developer, a handy SQL cheatsheet can save you time and prevent common mistakes. This guide offers a quick reference to the most important SQL concepts, commands, and best practices.


Why Use an SQL Cheatsheet?

  • Quick Reference: Instantly recall syntax for common operations.
  • Boost Productivity: Write queries faster and with fewer errors.
  • Best Practices: Avoid mistakes and follow industry standards.
  • SEO Benefit: Improve your database-related content’s visibility.

🧱 SQL Language Categories DDL (Data Definition Language): Define or alter the structure of database objects like tables. β†’ CREATE, ALTER, DROP

DML (Data Manipulation Language): Add or modify data within tables. β†’ INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE

DQL (Data Query Language): Retrieve data from the database. β†’ SELECT

DCL (Data Control Language): Control access to data and permissions. β†’ GRANT, REVOKE

TCL (Transaction Control Language): Manage transactions and rollbacks. β†’ COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVEPOINT


Common Database Objects

  • TABLE: Stores structured data.
  • VIEW: A saved query as a virtual table.
  • INDEX: Speeds up data retrieval.
  • TRIGGER: Executes on specific DB events.

Essential SQL Commands

DDL (Data Definition Language)

CREATE TABLE Students (
  rollno INT PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR(30),
  age INT,
  email VARCHAR(100)
);

ALTER TABLE Students ADD email VARCHAR(100);
ALTER TABLE Students MODIFY email VARCHAR(200);
ALTER TABLE Students DROP COLUMN email;
DROP TABLE Students;

DML (Data Manipulation Language)

INSERT INTO Students (rollno, name, age) VALUES (234, 'Donal', 21);
UPDATE Students SET age = 22 WHERE rollno = 234;
DELETE FROM Students WHERE rollno = 234;

DQL (Data Query Language)

SELECT * FROM Students;
SELECT * FROM Students WHERE rollno = 234;
SELECT name, grade FROM Students ORDER BY gender;
SELECT * FROM Students INNER JOIN Section ON Students.section_id = Section.id;

SQL Joins Explained

  • INNER JOIN: Matching rows in both tables.
  • LEFT JOIN: All rows from the left, matched from the right.
  • RIGHT JOIN: All rows from the right, matched from the left.
  • FULL OUTER JOIN: All matching rows from both sides.

Set Operations

  • UNION: Combine and remove duplicates.
  • UNION ALL: Combine and keep duplicates.
  • INTERSECT: Only common rows.
  • EXCEPT/MINUS: Rows in first query not in the second.

Constraints & Data Integrity

  • PRIMARY KEY: Uniquely identifies records.
  • FOREIGN KEY: Connects two tables.
  • UNIQUE: All values must differ.
  • CHECK: Restricts input values.
  • DEFAULT: Auto-fills when empty.
  • NOT NULL: Value must be present.

Aggregation Functions

  • AVG() – Average value
  • MIN() – Minimum value
  • MAX() – Maximum value
  • SUM() – Total value
  • COUNT() – Row count

SQL Best Practices

  • Consistent naming conventions (snake_case / camelCase).
  • Readable formatting: Use line breaks and indents.
  • *Avoid SELECT : Fetch only what you need.
  • Use parameterized queries to avoid SQL injection.
  • Normalize your schema: Reduce redundancy.
  • Index smartly: Prioritize columns used in filtering and joining.
  • Comment and document: Future-proof your work.
  • Always test on staging/sample data first.

Conclusion

A reliable SQL cheatsheet is an essential tool for every developer and analyst. Keep this guide handy to write clean, fast, and secure queries with confidence.