DELETE triggers in MySQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a DELETE trigger in MySQL?

A DELETE trigger is a special procedure that automatically runs before or after a row is deleted from a table. It helps to perform actions like logging or checking conditions when a delete happens.

beginner

When does a BEFORE DELETE trigger execute?

A BEFORE DELETE trigger runs just before a row is deleted from the table. It can be used to check or modify data before the deletion happens.

intermediate

Can a DELETE trigger prevent a row from being deleted?

Yes, a BEFORE DELETE trigger can prevent deletion by signaling an error or condition that stops the delete operation.

intermediate

Write a simple DELETE trigger that logs deleted row IDs into a log table.

CREATE TRIGGER log_delete BEFORE DELETE ON your_table FOR EACH ROW BEGIN INSERT INTO delete_log (deleted_id) VALUES (OLD.id); END;

intermediate

What is the difference between BEFORE DELETE and AFTER DELETE triggers?

BEFORE DELETE triggers run before the row is deleted and can stop the deletion. AFTER DELETE triggers run after the row is deleted and cannot stop the deletion but can perform follow-up actions.

What keyword specifies a trigger that runs before a row is deleted?

A AFTER DELETE

B WHEN DELETE

C ON DELETE

D BEFORE DELETE

BEFORE DELETE triggers run before the deletion happens.

Which of these can a DELETE trigger NOT do?

A Modify the row after deletion

B Prevent deletion in BEFORE DELETE trigger

C Run automatically on delete

D Log deleted rows

After deletion, the row no longer exists, so you cannot modify it.

In MySQL, what does OLD refer to inside a DELETE trigger?

A The new row after deletion

B The row before deletion

C The table name

D The trigger name

OLD refers to the row data before it is deleted.

Which trigger timing cannot stop a delete operation?

A AFTER DELETE

B BEFORE UPDATE

C BEFORE DELETE

D BEFORE INSERT

AFTER DELETE triggers run after deletion and cannot stop it.

What is the correct syntax to create a DELETE trigger in MySQL?

A CREATE TRIGGER trigger_name ON DELETE table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

B CREATE DELETE TRIGGER trigger_name ON table_name BEGIN ... END;

C CREATE TRIGGER trigger_name BEFORE DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

D CREATE TRIGGER trigger_name AFTER DELETE table_name BEGIN ... END;

The correct syntax uses CREATE TRIGGER with BEFORE or AFTER DELETE, ON table_name, and FOR EACH ROW.

Explain what a DELETE trigger is and when it runs in MySQL.

Think about what happens before and after a row is removed.

Describe how you can use a DELETE trigger to log deleted rows.

Consider saving the ID of the row before it disappears.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a DELETE trigger in MySQL?

easy

A. To automatically run code when a row is deleted

B. To insert new rows into a table

C. To update rows before selecting them

D. To create new tables dynamically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what triggers do

   Triggers run automatically when certain actions happen on a table, like DELETE.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of DELETE triggers

   DELETE triggers specifically run when rows are deleted to perform extra tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To automatically run code when a row is deleted -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   DELETE triggers = automatic code on row deletion [OK]

Hint: Triggers run automatically on data changes like DELETE [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing DELETE triggers with INSERT or UPDATE triggers
• Thinking triggers create or modify tables
• Believing triggers run only manually

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create a BEFORE DELETE trigger in MySQL?

easy

A. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

B. CREATE TRIGGER trg AFTER DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

C. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE UPDATE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

D. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE FROM table_name BEGIN ... END;

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct trigger syntax

   MySQL triggers use CREATE TRIGGER name BEFORE|AFTER event ON table FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END;

2. Step 2: Match syntax for BEFORE DELETE

   CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END; matches this exactly with BEFORE DELETE and correct structure.

3. Final Answer:

   CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END; -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax = CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON table_name FOR EACH ROW BEGIN ... END; [OK]

Hint: Syntax: CREATE TRIGGER name BEFORE|AFTER DELETE ON table [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using AFTER instead of BEFORE when asked
• Wrong event like UPDATE instead of DELETE
• Missing FOR EACH ROW clause

3. Given this trigger and table:

CREATE TABLE users (id INT, name VARCHAR(20));
CREATE TRIGGER log_delete AFTER DELETE ON users FOR EACH ROW BEGIN
INSERT INTO deleted_log VALUES (OLD.id, OLD.name);
END;

What happens when DELETE FROM users WHERE id=1; is executed?

medium

A. The row with id=1 is deleted but nothing is logged

B. The row with id=1 is deleted and its data is inserted into deleted_log

C. The DELETE statement fails with a syntax error

D. The row with id=1 is not deleted because of the trigger

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AFTER DELETE trigger behavior

   The trigger runs after a row is deleted and inserts OLD row data into deleted_log.

2. Step 2: Analyze the DELETE command effect

   Deleting id=1 removes that row and the trigger logs its data into deleted_log.

3. Final Answer:

   The row with id=1 is deleted and its data is inserted into deleted_log -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   AFTER DELETE trigger logs deleted row [OK]

Hint: AFTER DELETE triggers run after row removal to log data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking trigger prevents deletion
• Assuming no logging happens
• Confusing OLD with NEW in DELETE triggers

4. Identify the error in this trigger definition:

CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON users
BEGIN
INSERT INTO deleted_log VALUES (OLD.id, OLD.name);
END;

medium

A. Using NEW in a DELETE trigger is invalid

B. BEFORE DELETE triggers cannot modify data

C. Trigger body must be a single statement without BEGIN...END

D. Missing FOR EACH ROW clause

Solution

1. Step 1: Check trigger syntax requirements

   MySQL requires FOR EACH ROW clause in row-level triggers.

2. Step 2: Identify missing FOR EACH ROW

   The trigger lacks FOR EACH ROW, causing syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing FOR EACH ROW clause -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   FOR EACH ROW is mandatory in triggers [OK]

Hint: Always include FOR EACH ROW in row-level triggers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using NEW in DELETE triggers (allowed only OLD)
• Omitting FOR EACH ROW clause
• Incorrect BEGIN...END usage

5. You want to prevent deletion of rows in the orders table if the order status is 'shipped'. Which DELETE trigger logic is correct?

hard

A. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF NEW.status = 'shipped' THEN DELETE FROM orders WHERE id = OLD.id; END IF; END;

B. CREATE TRIGGER trg AFTER DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF NEW.status = 'shipped' THEN ROLLBACK; END IF; END;

C. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF OLD.status = 'shipped' THEN SIGNAL SQLSTATE '45000' SET MESSAGE_TEXT = 'Cannot delete shipped orders'; END IF; END;

D. CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF OLD.status = 'shipped' THEN UPDATE orders SET status = 'cancelled' WHERE id = OLD.id; END IF; END;

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to prevent deletion

   Use BEFORE DELETE trigger and SIGNAL to raise an error and stop deletion.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option's logic

   CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF OLD.status = 'shipped' THEN SIGNAL SQLSTATE '45000' SET MESSAGE_TEXT = 'Cannot delete shipped orders'; END IF; END; correctly uses BEFORE DELETE, checks OLD.status, and signals error to prevent deletion.

3. Final Answer:

   CREATE TRIGGER trg BEFORE DELETE ON orders FOR EACH ROW BEGIN IF OLD.status = 'shipped' THEN SIGNAL SQLSTATE '45000' SET MESSAGE_TEXT = 'Cannot delete shipped orders'; END IF; END; -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use SIGNAL in BEFORE DELETE to block deletion [OK]

Hint: Use SIGNAL in BEFORE DELETE to stop unwanted deletions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using AFTER DELETE to prevent deletion (too late)
• Using NEW in DELETE triggers (only OLD is valid)
• Trying to delete inside a DELETE trigger causing recursion