First query execution in MySQL

Introduction

Running your first query helps you see how to get data from a database. It shows you how to ask questions and get answers from stored information.

You want to see all the data in a table for the first time.

You just created a database and want to check if your data is there.

You want to learn how to write simple commands to get information.

You need to confirm the structure and content of a table before working with it.

Syntax

MySQL

SELECT column1, column2 FROM table_name;

Use SELECT to choose which columns you want to see.

FROM tells the database which table to look in.

Examples

This gets all columns and all rows from the employees table.

MySQL

SELECT * FROM employees;

This gets only the name and age columns from the employees table.

MySQL

SELECT name, age FROM employees;

This gets only the id column from the employees table.

MySQL

SELECT id FROM employees;

Sample Program

This query shows all the data stored in the employees table.

MySQL

SELECT * FROM employees;

Important Notes

The * symbol means 'all columns'.

Make sure the table name is spelled correctly.

Queries end with a semicolon ; to tell the database you are done.

Summary

Use SELECT to get data from a table.

Use FROM to specify which table to get data from.

The first query helps you understand how to read data from a database.